Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the the crude oil and diesel spill from the Piper Bravo Platform on 6 January 2026 on the marine environment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The crude oil and diesel spills on the Piper Bravo Platform on 6th January 2026 were reported to the Health & Safety Executive in accordance with their hydrocarbon release reporting requirements. Both spills were contained on the installation with no spill to the marine environment.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department will take to ensure high levels of UK content in tidal stream projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government continues to engage with the tidal stream industry to support high levels of UK content in projects, which currently stands at around 80 per cent, including through the Marine Energy Taskforce’s sub group on supply chains.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the threat to UK offshore energy assets from Russian military activities.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Russia poses a long-term, strategic threat to Euro-Atlantic security and the UK is taking measures to combat these threats with our Allies. The maritime domain is increasingly contested. Hostile states and non-state actors pose a growing threat to our critical infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence constantly monitors activity within UK waters and its Economic Exclusion Zone to counter and deter detected threats. British warships frequently patrol and shadow foreign vessels throughout the UK marine area, including through the North Sea and increased surveillance of offshore oil and gas installations. This includes the Atlantic Bastion concept – a plan to scale and accelerate new and existing capabilities to defend underwater infrastructure.
This is part of a comprehensive and integrated approach to deterring and defending against the range of threats we face.
Asked by: Baroness Whitaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it plans to provide direction to the National Energy System Operator to account for marine energy in its Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The first iteration of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) will not include spatial optimisation for wave and tidal energy projects as they are emerging technologies and volumes in development are currently very low. As policy and technology advance, the Government and NESO will keep this position under review and may consider the inclusion of wave and tidal energy in future iterations of the SSEP.
Asked by: Baroness Whitaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential generating capacity of UK tidal stream and wave energy resources; and what steps they are taking to realise this potential.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the potential of marine energy to support the UK’s transition to net zero. Independent studies, including those by the Carbon Trust and the Royal Society, have assessed the scale and value of the UK’s tidal stream and wave energy resources.
We continue to drive UK marine energy development through policy levers such as the Contracts for Difference scheme and innovation funding delivered via UK Research & Innovation. Through these measures, the UK is on track to deploy over 120 MW of tidal stream capacity by 2029, secured through the last three CfD allocation rounds.
Asked by: Lord Cameron of Lochiel (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the total funding made available by The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator programme was allocated to each of the successful organisations, as announced on 11 December.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The total funding made available in the second round of the Supply Chain Accelerator programme is £13,223,663. The proportion of that total allocated to each successful organisation is set out in the table below, including an aggregated figure for multi-project awards to the same organisation and an individual project breakdown.
All Supply Chain Accelerator awards are “up to” the amounts specified and are paid in arrears, subject to evidenced milestone delivery and costs incurred as projects progress.
Organisation | Amount awarded by The Crown Estate (£) |
ARC Marine | 250,000 |
Blyth Harbour Commission | 275,000 |
European Marine Energy Centre | 297,000 |
Eyemouth Harbour Trust | 1,479,000 |
First Corporate Shipping Ltd | 1,432,500 |
Ledwood Mechanical Engineering | 505,800 |
Morwind Ltd | 784,313 |
Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Two projects: AmTech (£612,034) and String OE (£345,964) | 957,998 |
Offshore Solutions Group Limited – Celtic Sea | 411,210 |
Reflex Marine | 765,802 |
SeAH Wind Ltd Three projects: Pinpile (£1,500,000), Marshalling (£1,500,000) and Coating Booth (£1,500,000) | 4,500,000 |
Slipform Engineering Limited | 513,000 |
Sperra Seaworks | 1,052,040 |
Total (£) | 13,223,663 |
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to improve the availability of high-quality STEM skills and support innovation in the South West, particularly in sectors critical to defence, ICT, and energy security.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is committed to strengthening STEM skills and driving innovation across the UK, including the South West. DSIT has launched the TechFirst programme to deliver tech and AI learning to 1 million young people by 2029. This builds on CyberFirst, which has reached 415,000 students and recognised 230 schools, including 47 in the South West.
Since 2022, DSIT’s Cyber Local programme has delivered 18 initiatives in the South West, supporting economic growth and skills development. A list of 2024–25 programmes is available here.
DSIT is working with other government departments to increase regional and national STEM skills provisions. Through the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, the Government is investing £1.2 billion in skills development, including a £100 million Engineering Skills Package and new Technical Excellence Colleges. The South West hosts the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Hayle, supporting innovation and skills development in marine and energy technologies.
The UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, backed by a £182 million skills package, includes the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal (September 2025), securing a share of £250 million to boost defence innovation and skills in the region.
The Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper focuses on employer‑led training and technical routes to tackle skills gaps. In the South West, this means Local Skills Improvement Plans shaping provision for priority sectors like clean energy, digital and defence, alongside Technical Excellence Colleges, expanding higher technical courses and apprenticeships to meet regional demand.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in light of his letter to Cornwall Council stating that he is minded, on an exceptional basis, to explore designating the council as a Single Foundation Strategic Authority, whether the Authority would receive a consolidated multi-year funding settlement as described in the Integrated Settlement framework.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The English Devolution White Paper set out a clear and transparent pathway for areas to be designated as Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities, and thereby become eligible for an Integrated Settlement.
Any future designation of Cornwall Council as a Single Foundation Strategic Authority would mark the beginning of its journey through the devolution framework, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation.
The Government is separately investing in Cornwall’s economic opportunities with a new 'Kernow Industrial Growth Fund' announced by the Chancellor at Autumn Budget 2025. This fund delivers on the Industrial Strategy’s commitment to harness regional strengths. It will provide £30 million over 2026-27 and 2027-28 to Cornwall Council, to invest in Cornwall's sectoral advantages such as critical minerals, renewable energy and marine innovation, subject to business cases. This builds on the Government’s recent £28.6 million National Wealth Fund investment in Cornish Metals, signalling a clear commitment to unlock Cornwall’s potential as a clean growth powerhouse.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to include saltmarshes in the UK's greenhouse gas inventory.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is actively exploring the role of marine nature-based solutions, such as seagrass and saltmarsh restoration, to deliver both carbon sequestration and broader benefits.
Defra is working in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Devolved Governments – through the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership – to address evidence gaps that currently prevent the inclusion of saltmarsh in the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Defra Group have funded five flux towers to provide important carbon emissions data for saltmarsh habitats. Alongside investment to deliver a roadmap setting out the steps needed for potential inclusion of saltmarsh in the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Other marine habitats will be kept in consideration as the evidence base around them develops.
Reflecting this ongoing work, saltmarsh was included within Defra’s Net Zero pathway for Carbon Budgets 4–6 as an early-stage policy.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to help support the maritime sector.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra, including arms length bodies such as the Marine Management Organisation, supports maritime industries through a range of policy and operational activities. This includes the marine licensing system, work to support growth in offshore wind, our Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme and other marine, fisheries and environmental policies. In doing this we work closely with other Government Departments including Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Transport, Department for Business and Trade.