Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Craig Whittaker and Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Tuesday 6th July 2021 Commons Chamber

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

Of the 92 recommendations made by the Climate Change Committee in its 2020 progress report, 40 have been achieved or partly achieved and another 32 are under way, meaning that progress has been made against more than 75% of the recommendations. Our forthcoming strategies—including on hydrogen and transport and our comprehensive net zero strategy—will set out more of the policies that the committee calls for in its recommendations. I clearly cannot speak for the Treasury, which will publish its own review, but I know that that is also very well advanced.

[Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con)]

What plans he has to help ensure that skills in the nuclear sector are maintained between the building of new power plants.

[The Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth (Anne-Marie Trevelyan)]

The Government confirmed our commitment in the energy White Paper to more nuclear power after Hinkley Point C, and we are currently negotiating for Sizewell C. That is a great example of the bright future ahead for our skilled nuclear workforce.

[Craig Whittaker [V]]

Gathering the skills and expertise for building new nuclear power stations in the UK has been a mammoth task and a considerable expense to many companies because no nuclear has been built in the UK for many decades. Can my right hon. Friend give some assurance to the tens of thousands of employees who are worried about their jobs as contracts on Hinkley Point come to an end and there is potentially a lengthy gap before the funding model for Sizewell C is agreed?