Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andy Burnham and Seamus Logan

Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend was an important voice during the summer. I am aware of the problems in his constituency on the border of Greater Manchester, and they are problems that we have seen for a number of years. He was right to mention the need for a ban on disposable barbecues but, more broadly, this is a bigger challenge, so I am going to call a wildfire summit, which he will be welcome to attend.

Our fire and rescue services are not set up properly for the changing climate. We do not have the most modern equipment, we do not have the same aerial support to tackle wildfires that we see in France, Italy and other countries, and dealing with the flooding that is expected in the latter part of this year is not even a statutory responsibility of the fire and rescue services. If my hon. Friend will join me at that summit, we can make further progress.

[Seamus Logan (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East) (SNP)]

Q12. The Energy Secretary will shortly choose between six National Energy System Operator pathway options for the strategic spatial energy plan, which will shape where and when energy infrastructure is developed over the next 25 years.ScotWind is key to Scotland’s industrial future: it represents £78.5 billion of potential investment, part of an overall package that Crown Estate Scotland estimates could support more than 21,000 jobs. However, this week the GMB union in Scotland, among others, has warned that the wrong pathway could deny energy transition opportunities for our world-class, skilled and experienced Scottish energy workers and industries. Given the last Administration’s betrayal at Grangemouth and Ardersier, can the Prime Minister commit today to selecting a pathway that will enable the full ScotWind pipeline, including floating offshore wind and the grid investment, to deliver Scotland’s energy potential?

[The Prime Minister]

That is exactly what I mean when I talk about supporting an industrial transition so that we can reindustrialise Scotland and other parts of the country. It must be done in a pragmatic way so that we can make the transition work rather than being too ideological about it, as other parties are, so I will work with the hon. Gentleman. I intend to visit Scotland soon to look in detail at the issues in the Aberdeen community, because I know that people have struggled with the impact of transition. Let us see what we can do to build common cause, and let us also look at Grangemouth, which could be the home of sustainable aviation fuel. I am interested in making progress on all those issues, and I will work with the hon. Gentleman on that.