Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of when the construction of a dual carriageway for the A12 between Braintree and Marks Tey will be (a) approved, (b) financed and (c) completed.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Proposals to improve the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey, where it meets the A12, have been developed alongside other potential enhancements to the strategic road network as part of the RIS3 Pipeline, for possible delivery in a future road period. Following a statement to Parliament in March 2023 from the Secretary of State for Transport identifying a range of funding headwinds and pressures facing transport infrastructure delivery, schemes within the pipeline have been deferred for consideration as part of RIS4 (beyond 2030) at the earliest. The RIS remains the primary funding source for development and delivery of enhancements to the strategic road network in England.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will make an estimate of the cost of tackling environmental issues arising from (a) the East Anglia Green Energy Enablement project and (b) offshore alternatives to that project.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Transmission network operators, in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission are responsible for delivering network infrastructure necessary to meet consumer needs.
Those operators must assess the environmental impacts of the proposals, including any proposed mitigation designs and any consideration of alternatives. Any mitigation forms part of project proposals examined during the consenting process. The cost of any mitigation is the responsibility of the operator with the regulator potentially having a role depending on the extent of mitigation.. Given the Secretary of State’s role in the consenting process for nationally significant infrastructure, no assessment has been made by the Department.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate he has made of when the review announced by the electricity system operator of the offshore alternative to the East Anglia Green Energy Enablement project will be (a) concluded and (b) published.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The upcoming independent review into onshore energy infrastructure in East Anglia is the responsibility of Electricity System Operator (ESO) who have set the parameters and timescales for the study. This is not a statutory consultation or assessment.
The study’s terms of reference committed to commence work once the publication of results from the Offshore Coordination Support Scheme are announced, meaning a precise date is not currently feasible. The ESO then expect to have preliminary results after approximately three months.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with ESO-National Grid on the timing of the next consultation on the East Anglia Green Energy Enablement project; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
National Grid ESO is the electricity systems operator. The timing of any consultation on planning is a matter for the developer responsible for East Anglia Green, National Grid Electricity Transmission, to determine. At this stage National Grid Electricity Transmission has not undertaken statutory consultation for this project, and it is my understanding that NGET have committed to carefully consider the recommendations of the independent ESO study ahead of their statutory consultation for this project. Given the quasi-judicial role of the Secretary of State in making planning decisions for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, it is not appropriate to comment further.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate his Department has made of the level of electricity generating capacity that will be required in each year between 2023 and 2050; what the minimum generating margin will be in each of those years; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Net Zero consistent scenarios for the power sector are published as Annex O of the Energy and Emission Projections.[1] In line with National Grid targets, these scenarios are configured to ensure a minimum lost load of 3 hours in any given year.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is planning to take in response to Russia's capture of 14 Bulgarian sailors who were stranded in Mariupol as hostages; whether the Government has provided support to the government of Bulgaria to resist Russian demands; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK and Bulgaria are strong friends and partners and NATO allies. We work closely together with Bulgarian counterparts at all levels in response to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine including on our diplomatic responses, advancing our common security interests, energy diversification and joint working on countering disinformation. I discussed the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine when he visited Sofia in March 2023.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many officials from his Department have attended courses on international trade with the World Trade Organisation in each year since 2016; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Most trade-related training in the Department for International Trade is organised by a central team, and the team has not arranged for any individuals or teams to attend courses at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). We have no records of anyone independently attending WTO courses.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether officials from her Department attended courses on (a) SPS agreements, (b) trade and the environment and (c) agriculture agreements at the World Trade Organisation in each year since the EU referendum in June 2016; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra officials have attended courses and other learning events on SPS agreements, trade and the environment, and agriculture agreements at the World Trade Organisation since 2017 (there is no record for 2016). This includes learning that is regularly on offer through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Trade Faculty. In addition, officials have attended seminars and presentations from departmental experts as part of Defra’s internal trade capability offer that ensures officials are fully equipped to deliver the Government’s trade objectives.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, he he will make an assessment of the impact of rail strikes on the ability of school pupils taking GCSE and A level examinations to travel to their exam locations; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
The overwhelming majority of students are not reliant on rail transport to attend school or college, as only around 1% of 11 to 16-year-olds travel to school by train. However, the department does know that a small number of students in schools and a larger number in further education colleges will be affected either by rail disruption, or by busier roads and greater demand for other public transport. This means they will likely be experiencing additional stress and disruption at a time when they should be able to fully focus on doing their best in their exams.
Many students will be able to make alternative arrangements. Schools and colleges are also expected to play their part in supporting those students who are likely to be impacted or struggle to make alternative arrangements. Schools and colleges are also expected to have contingency arrangements in place to manage any possible disruption to exams and formal assessments, including late arrival of staff or students.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have published updated guidance for centres managing exams this summer. This outlines existing flexibilities, as well as changes to the normal rules for conducting examinations, and is designed to support centres experiencing disruption. This includes additional flexibility around published start times, which could be used if an invigilator is delayed by transport disruption. Where students arrive late, centres should consult JCQ guidance on what to do. In most cases, centres should allow students to take the paper, and exam boards will determine whether that paper can be accepted, depending on how late the student is.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will estimate the likely (a) length of cabling, (b) transmission capacity, (c) financial cost of the proposed Sealink 1 undersea electrical cable from Sizewell to Kent, referred to as SCD1 in the latest National Grid Network Options Appraisal; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
National Grid Electricity Transmission is currently developing proposals for Sea Link, a new planned 2GW high voltage undersea electricity link between Suffolk and Kent.
(a) Length of cabling: ~150km, consisting of ~140km DC cable (of which 130km will be offshore and 10km onshore) and ~10km of onshore AC cables);
(b) Transmission capacity: 2GW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC);
(c) Financial cost of the proposed Sea Link undersea electrical cable from Sizewell to Kent: This project is forecast to cost ~£1.2bn. This includes the cost to connect the link to the existing transmission system at either end, the converter stations and the cable required between the two. This figure is however subject to final engineering design, commodity prices, landowner agreements and mitigation.