Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to (a) incentivise consumers and (b) support manufacturers to use green energy sources.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Action Plan for the Clean Power 2030 Mission will set out the path to decarbonise our electricity and support an increasingly electrified economy.
The Government is incentivising adoption of low carbon appliances, including through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, our Warm Homes Plan, and working with industry and local authorities to develop new heat networks.
The Government is also supporting low carbon hydrogen production, which has a unique role in transitioning hard-to-abate sectors away from fossil fuels.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the increase of electricity demand in the next 15 years can be met by domestically produced green power.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Later this year the Government will publish the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will set out the path to deliver a clean power system, helping protect billpayers from volatile gas prices and strengthening Britain’s energy security. The Government has also set up Great British Energy, which will own, manage, and operate clean energy projects across the country, generating abundant homegrown electricity.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of importing renewable energy from the Global South if there is a gap in domestic green power supply.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Interconnectors are the physical assets that enable electricity to be traded between GB and energy markets in other jurisdictions. We are currently trading electricity, including renewable generation, from Europe via nine interconnectors. The Government considers that interconnection should, and will, play an important role in GB’s future decarbonised energy system.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that new technologies comply with Net Zero targets.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Innovation is essential for the Government’s mission to deliver clean power by 2030 and accelerate to net zero, helping to develop and drive down the cost of new technologies.
Around £4.2bn is being invested in research and innovation over 2022-2025 to catalyse the development and commercialisation of these technologies. Furthermore, Great British Energy and our National Wealth Fund, will support clean technologies and investment across the country.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans he to encourage the use of hydrogen technologies in domestic settings.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government remains committed to examining the case for hydrogen heating and is reviewing plans. This work aims to gather evidence on the feasibility, costs and benefits of hydrogen heating that can inform decisions on its potential role.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting the green energy transition in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK Government is committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.
As we make the carefully phased transition to clean energy, we will build alternative opportunities for oil and gas workers - to which we’ve already committed £22bn of investment.
What’s more, we have created the National Wealth Fund to invest in our clean energy industries. I have seen first hand what great work is taking place - including just last week at Dundee Port.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average annual cost per child of looked-after children in residential care is in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.
Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Education is a devolved matter and this response outlines the information for England only. The average cost for a looked after child in private residential care in 2020/21 was approximately £254,000 per annum and £217,000 for a child in an local authority placement: https://www.pssru.ac.uk/pub/uc/uc2021/services.pdf.
Costs may vary depending on factors such as location and the child’s level of need.
Asked by: Richard Baker (Labour - Glenrothes and Mid Fife)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had on supporting continued expansion in activity at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Methil.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have had frequent discussions with the Department for Business and Trade, across government, trade unions and with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, to support activity at Harland and Wolff sites across the United Kingdom. This country has a long and proud history of shipbuilding and fabrication, and I am confident that this Government is taking appropriate steps to support the sector in Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government and the company itself. Can I refer the Hon Gentlemen to the market update from the company dated Friday 19 July, and the Written Ministerial Statement presented to the House on Monday 22 July for more information.