Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Jesse Norman

Tuesday 8th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

I absolutely take my hon. Friend’s point, but these issues need to be considered in the round and there are provisions in the current structure for local funding to allow areas to share visions and investment potential.

[Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab)]

The Government know how important the energy sector is to the north-east and in the past have made commitments about insisting on local content in projects such as offshore wind. What are they doing to assess, monitor and, if necessary, impose penalties when promises of local content are not met?

[Jesse Norman]

The Government have a rigorous assessment process for local content. Most recently, the Hinkley Point C station was subject to provisions for more than 60% local content. If the hon. Lady knows of any instances in which the Government are not following up on this, she is welcome to write to the Department.