Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Sheffield University’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on potential redundancies.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) is part of the University of Sheffield and receives funding from the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. These organisations have been reviewing their nuclear innovation capabilities to ensure they are fit for purpose and delivered cost effectively. These reviews will complete soon and will inform the University’s decision on the future of NAMRC.
Ministers and officials have engaged where appropriate, given the independence of the organisations involved, and will work with all the relevant parties to ensure that the critical staff, knowledge and capabilities in the NAMRC are preserved within the sector where needed.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the strength of links between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation responsible for an act of barbarism on October 7 that sought to kill countless Israelis and provoke wider conflict with Palestinians. Hamas cannot remain in charge of Gaza. The UK supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Foreign Secretary has spoken with the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mohammad Mustafa and offered the UK's support as his government implements much-needed reforms. An effective PA is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Beijing Declaration on the potential for reform of the Palestinian Authority.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Hamas cannot remain in charge of Gaza. The Foreign Secretary has spoken with the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa and offered the UK's support as his government implements much-needed reforms. A reformed and empowered Palestinian Authority is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for responding to the Alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects consultation, which closed on 12 April 2024.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation was published on 11th January 2024 and closed on 12th April 2024.
Consultation responses have been analysed and the Department intends to publish a factual response in due course.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of gigawatt scale selections in Europe on the UK’s commitment to tripling nuclear globally by 2050.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK has long established relationships with European partners considering gigawatt scale civil nuclear deployment and, as one of the 22 countries to sign up to a pledge to triple civil nuclear globally, is working to coordinate plans to deploy civil nuclear domestically and around the world. The Government recognises the increasing demand on supply chains as countries seek to meet their nuclear ambitions and so will work with industry to realise the full range of responsible deployment pathways.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the cost differential per kilowatt is for nuclear development for large scale gigawatt projects and small modular reactors.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Nuclear is currently administering the small modular reactor (SMR) technology selection process and is now in the process of evaluating bids. Given that this is a live procurement process it would be inappropriate at this time to comment on the economics of SMR power generation or to make any comparison across nuclear technologies, but all nuclear projects will be subject to a detailed value for money assessment, including cost.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her planned timetable is for increasing the rate at which the Energy Profits Levy is charged.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Changes to the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), including increasing the levy by 3 per cent to 38 per cent and removing the levy’s 29% investment allowance, will be implemented from 1 November 2024. This was announced by the Chancellor on 29th July and the Government will legislate for these changes in the Autumn Finance Bill.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her planned timetable is for ending the investment allowance within the Energy Profits Levy.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Changes to the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), including increasing the levy by 3 per cent to 38 per cent and removing the levy’s 29% investment allowance, will be implemented from 1 November 2024. This was announced by the Chancellor on 29th July and the Government will legislate for these changes in the Autumn Finance Bill.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on the Pre-Tender Market Engagement for nuclear development at Wylfa.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Although pre-tender market engagement for large-scale nuclear published by the previous Government has now closed, we recognise the key role that the GBN-owned site at Wylfa can play in future nuclear projects and helping to achieve energy security and clean power. We will set out our plans for the site in due course.