North Sea Energy

Baroness Young of Old Scone Excerpts

Wednesday 12th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for raising these issues. It is a complex picture, but this Government are absolutely determined to get to grips with it. On alternative sources of energy, I have mentioned hydrogen, and we have had some very robust debates about its potential future use. The Government have also taken swift action to unlock the potential of onshore wind.

The issue that we probably need to discuss more than we do is how we reduce the consumption of energy at all, whether in our businesses or a domestic setting, and where the highest use of energy is.

The noble Earl has raised the issue of BP before. It is difficult for us to stand here and talk about commercial decisions made by companies, of whatever scale; it would not be appropriate to do so. But I emphasise that although the foot is on the accelerator in progressing to clean energy, we recognise, as we have repeatedly said, the contribution that oilfields and gas will continue to make as we make that transition. We have to make sure that the country is not exposed to any shocks, and that we do this in a measured and sensible way to ensure that we get to where we want to be.

There are, of course, competing challenges—I have heard the noble Baroness discuss on many occasions the impact of climate change on communities in rural areas in Yorkshire, for example, where we live—but there are many opportunities. We need to look at examples around the world, while focusing on making sure that Britain is the best and that we do all we can to reinvigorate our energy markets, provide the jobs we need and create an environment where we invest both within the country and on the international stage.

[Baroness Young of Old Scone (Lab)]

Does the Minister agree that the broad direction of this strategy is heavily supported by the public, the energy industry and the trade unions, which increasingly believe that future growth will be green growth, and future jobs will be low-carbon jobs? Does she agree that the Opposition, in continuing to face in absolutely the opposite direction —I know what opposition means—look increasingly blinkered and, frankly, out of touch on this issue?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for those comments; that was the point I was trying to make. I believe very strongly that positives attract. By going out and talking to people and explaining the progress we wish to make and how we move forward, we are gaining traction.

There is an element of the clean energy debate that we do not often consider and should pay more attention to: the impact on the health of both people working in the industry, and communities that have been exposed to, for example, air quality conditions that we should be looking at. We should be looking after our children’s health and looking after their futures.

There is a positive response. When I go out and talk to businesses, they see the opportunity in a positive way, recognising the challenges, but also that this Government are committed and will work across all the sectors to achieve the aims and objectives ahead of us.