Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Bowie and Dan Carden

Tuesday 21st May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie]

As my hon. Friend has heard me say already today, solar power is important, and we remain committed to our 70 GW target. However, food security is as important as energy security when it comes to national security. That is why we are protecting the best and most versatile farmland in the United Kingdom. Unlike the Opposition, we respect the views of communities up and down the country; we will ensure that our countryside is not industrialised, and incentivise companies, individuals and organisations to invest in rooftop solar, and solar on brownfield, not greenfield, sites.

[Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

T8. Does the Minister think that a regulator that allows the poorest to pay the highest bills, and that has overseen the doubling of energy bills since 2021 and the collapse of 30 energy companies in the same period, is fit for purpose?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Bowie and Dan Carden

Thursday 3rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, but I am afraid this Government will take no lessons from the Labour party on trade deficits, given that it inherited a trade surplus of £4.6 billion in 1997, and left office in 2010 with a trade deficit of £35.1 billion. We have regular discussions with the European Union on how we can increase trade, and the Government are determined to drive up trade not just with the European continent, but with new partners around the world.

[Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

7. What progress she has made on securing a free trade agreement with Mexico.