Oral Answers to Questions

Theresa Villiers Excerpts

Tuesday 19th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Davies]

My hon. Friend is right to recognise the east midlands investment zone, which will bring significant benefits across the region in the advanced manufacturing and green industry sectors. I am pleased to tell him that it started with a £9.3 million anchor investment and, over time, will leverage some £323 million in private investment, supporting 4,000 jobs overall.

[Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)]

21. What steps he is taking to reduce inflation.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Laura Trott)]

Inflation has now halved from 11.1% in October 2022 to 4.7% in October 2023, delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge. This has happened not by accident but as a result of difficult decisions made by the Government and the Bank of England—Government decisions that were opposed every step of the way by the Labour party.

[Theresa Villiers]

Thank you for calling me to ask a question while I catch my breath, Mr Speaker!

A major component of inflation over this past year has, of course, been the energy price shock. What are the Government doing to ensure the continued expansion of renewable energy so that we have greater energy security, and so that we are more resilient in the face of energy price shocks from overseas?

[Laura Trott]

My right hon. Friend is right, and she nailed the delivery of her question while out of breath.

At the autumn statement, the Chancellor announced measures that demonstrate the Government’s ongoing commitment to renewable energy as a priority growth sector essential to our energy security and net zero ambitions. The announcements made include a new investment exemption from the electricity generator levy and a £960 million green industries growth accelerator.