Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is working with key Government departments, organisations such as the Marine Management Organisation, Crown Estate and North Sea Transition Authority, and the marine sectors to improve our understanding of the different demands on the English seas.
Specifically, in 2023 the programme has engaged across multiple sectors, including fishing, cabling, environment and energy, to identify opportunities for greater co-location. We will continue this engagement in 2024.
Asked by: Allan Dorans (Scottish National Party - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to help monitor radioactive contamination levels from Sellafield nuclear plant; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this work on marine life along the coastline of South West Scotland.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Safety is our overriding priority at Sellafield. The annual environmental monitoring and dose assessment reports from Sellafield Ltd and the annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) reports produced by the environmental regulators (including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) provide comprehensive assessments of the impacts of discharges from the Sellafield site to the environment.
The RIFE report for 2022 shows that total radioactive discharges from Sellafield decreased in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Their assessments are based on the extensive environmental monitoring programmes conducted by the operators and regulators and both programmes are conclusive that the environmental impacts of the Sellafield site are within legal limits. This work is subject to independent scrutiny through the Department of Health and Social Care Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment Contaminations working group and the West Cumbria Sites Stakeholder Group.
Asked by: Caroline Ansell (Conservative - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the environmental sustainability of biomass lubricants in wind turbines.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) general objective, as set out by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA), is to manage its activities with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, taking account of all relevant facts and matters and in a consistent and coordinated manner (section 2(1) MCAA). In our decision making and when making our recommendations to the Secretary of State where applicable, the MMO considers the need to protect the environment, human health, and to prevent interference with legitimate uses of the sea (and such other matters as thought relevant) (section 69 MCAA). As a signatory to the Oslo and Paris convention (specifically OSPAR 1992 Annex lll Article 4) the UK must ensure that chemicals are approved for use in the marine environment. This is a requirement for each signatory country for their exclusive economic zone beyond 12 nautical miles and covers the area up to the recognised international boundaries.
Offshore wind farm (OWF) applications with a generating capacity of more than 100MW are classed as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), as set out in Part 3 of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended), and as such are granted or refused by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. OWF developments
The OSPAR guidance on environmental considerations for OWF development suggests that all chemicals, paints and coverings used in the maintenance and repair of OWFs should be approved for use in the marine environment and their properties should be sufficiently understood. DML conditions are contained within DCOs consented by the Secretary of State, to capture this requirement, alongside others regarding the control of chemicals in the offshore environment.
Under the management of DML conditions, the MMO reviews chemicals used, and any chemicals not already approved under the List of Notified Chemicals require a chemical risk assessment to be submitted before being approved for use.
Generally, lubricants are used in small quantities with low risk to enter the marine environment. They are used to maintain low friction, allow for efficient heat transfer and for the maintenance of hydraulics or moving mechanical parts in activities relating to foundations, cable laying, substation platforms and wind turbine generators where applicable. Regardless, all lubricants are considered for their environmental sustainability alongside all chemicals as part of the process outlined above.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contracts relating to shipbuilding have been awarded to industry since the National Shipbuilding Office was launched; and what the total value of those contracts is.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since the launch of the National Shipbuilding Office in September 2021, the UK Government has awarded over £6.1 billion approximately in shipbuilding contracts.
Programme | Contract Type | Value | Shipyard | Notes |
Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability Increment 1 | Procurement - competition | £100 million | Awarded to Babcock-led partnership with Elbit Systems UK and QinetiQ on 01 Nov 2021 | To fit Radar Electronic Support Measures with an EW Command & Control system to T26 and T31 (as well as T45 & QEC). |
NavyX, Ministry of Defence | Procurement - off the shelf vessel (international competition) | £7.5 million Overseas £2 million to UK companies for conversion | Awarded to Damen Shipyards (Netherlands) on 10 February 2022 | Vessel not included on 30 Year Cross-Government Shipbuilding Pipeline in the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh |
Queen Elizabeth Class Docking, Ministry of Defence | Support (UK-only competition) | £34 million | Awarded to Babcock (UK) on 15 March 2022 |
|
Type 26 Batch 2, Ministry of Defence | Build (single source) | £4.2 billion | Awarded to BAE Systems (UK) on 15 November 2022 |
|
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | Support (international competition) | £45 million | Awarded to Babcock (UK) on 10 December 2022 |
|
Northern Lighthouse Board, General Lighthouse Authority, Department for Transport (DfT) | Build (international competition) | £51.8 million via a DfT loan which will be repaid via Light Dues, with interest and no call on the UK Exchequer | Awarded to Astilleros Gondán S.A (Spain) on 12 December 2022 | Includes £2 million of contracts with UK Supply Chain |
Fleet Solid Support Ships | Build (international competition) | £1.6 billion | Awarded to Team Resolute comprised of Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff and BMT on 18 Jan 2023. |
|
Type 31 mission systems test and integration facility | Support (UK-only competition) | £70 million | Thales UK on 9 May 2023 | The contract will provide equipment and technical services into the Type 31 Mission System Shore Integration Facility at Portsdown Technology Park, Portsmouth. |
North Eastern Guardian III replacement, patrol and research vessel, North East Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (local government and DEFRA) | Build (international contract) | £5.54 million | Parkol Marine, Whitby, awarded on 11 August 2023. | The Northeast Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority are largely funded by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and part funded by DEFRA. |
1 The table covers central Government shipbuilding and repair contracts and those of Arms Length Bodies in line with the National Shipbuilding Office’s remit, and does not include those funded solely by local councils.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the legal framework for protecting the marine environment in the context of recent progress in decommissioning oil and gas boreholes in the North Sea.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The decommissioning of wells is important to enable the safety and integrity of the well to protect the marine environment. The relevant regulators, Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED), HSE and NSTA continue to work together to ensure well decommissioning is progressed in accordance with the relevant safety and environmental regulations and standards.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the Government’s policy is on managing the marine impacts of oil and gas licensing.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The mission of the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is to drive up the environmental performance of the offshore oil and gas industries, ensuring they minimise their impact on the environment and support the UK’s net zero transition.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential environmental impact of new offshore oil and gas licences on marine protected areas.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The UK has a comprehensive legal framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities, which will apply to new licences. It covers the entire oil and gas life cycle, from the initial licence application to decommissioning activities.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s policy is on managing the marine impacts of oil and gas licensing.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The mission of the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is to drive up the environmental performance of the offshore oil and gas industries, ensuring they minimise their impact on the environment and support the UK’s net zero transition.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential environmental impacts of new offshore oil and gas licences on marine protected areas.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) officials work closely together on achieving the dual aims of Net Zero and protection of the marine environment. The environmental impact of all proposed offshore oil and gas developments are considered by the relevant regulator (Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning and/or North Sea Transition Authority) when considering them for consent.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of oil and gas developments on Marine Protected Areas.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment & Decommissioning (OPRED) is responsible for regulating the environmental impact of offshore oil and gas operations in the UK. As part of its regulatory process, OPRED carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment, consulting with Statutory Nature Consultation Bodies, and will take into account the impact any project may have on the environment within marine protected areas.