Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
Answered by Mark Spencer
We are supporting the long-term future of the UK’s fishing fleet, by developing Fisheries Management Plans, and investing through the £100 million UK Seafood Fund – including £3 million for the Scottish Seafood Centre of Excellence in Fraserburgh. Scotland will also benefit from an increase in fishing opportunities this year compared to 2023, as Scottish fisheries continue to see the benefits of our post-Brexit deal for fishing.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the seafood sector in Scotland.
Answered by John Lamont
This Government is committed to supporting our seafood sector, which as my hon Friend knows first hand, is at the heart of many rural communities in Scotland.
We have recently concluded successful quota negotiations for 2024; delivered a two-year extension to visa exemptions for Salmon well-boat crew; consulted on changes to medical certification for those already working at sea; and are supporting the industry following changes to immigration policy.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of potential future trends in the level of demand for oil and gas.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As set out in our Net Zero Strategy demand pathway, in 2035, demand for oil and gas may be just over half of 2022 levels.
Whilst our domestic production is expected to decline by 7% year-on-year, new licensing will limit our import dependency to around 60% instead of 70% by 2035.
By 2050, oil use will concentrate in aviation. Gas will be used with CCUS abatement, generating cleaner electricity and hydrogen.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to encourage investment in the (a) offshore oil and gas industry and (b) renewables sector.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has been clear in its support for the upstream oil and gas sector. The recent announcement of the first 27 licences from the 33rd Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round and our new Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, requiring annual licensing, support this.
Since 2010, the UK has seen £198 billion of investment into low carbon energy. The Government recently announced that its flagship scheme for supporting renewable electricity projects, the Contracts for Differences scheme, would see significant uplifts to the maximum price for offshore wind projects and other renewables in next year's auction.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of windfall taxes on the level of investment in offshore energy production.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Shadow Financial Secretary (Treasury)
The Energy Profits Levy (EPL) was introduced on 26 May 2022 to respond to exceptionally high prices that meant oil and gas companies were benefiting from unexpectedly high profits. While the EPL is in place, companies can claim around 91p in tax relief for every £1 they invest in the UK. This relief increases to £1.09 for every £1 for money invested towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the production of oil and gas. At Autumn Statement 2023, the Government confirmed the technical details of the EPL’s price floor, the Energy Security Investment Mechanism (ESIM), which was introduced in June 2023 to give the sector the certainty to invest. The Government are committed to ending the EPL by March 2028 at the latest, or earlier if oil and gas prices return to historically normal levels due to the ESIM.
The Electricity Generator Levy (EGL) is a time-limited tax on the extraordinary returns of electricity generators. The levy is not payable on renewable generation produced under Contracts for Difference, which will account for most new large renewable generation coming online in future years. To further support new renewables investment, at Autumn Statement 2023 the Chancellor announced an exemption from the EGL for new generation projects.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help attract investment in offshore wind manufacturing.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero works closely with the Department for Business and Trade and other relevant Government departments to attract investment in offshore wind manufacturing.
The UK remains an attractive market for offshore wind investment. SeAH Wind’s new monopile factory and JDR Cables’ subsea cable facility are expected to complete their construction and begin operations by the end of 2024.
The Department is also delivering the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS), worth up to £160 million, to support investment in the port infrastructure needed to deploy large-scale floating offshore wind turbines.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the uptake of Pension Credit.
Answered by Guy Opperman
Our communications campaign has been running since April 2022 and Pension Credit applications were up by around 75% in the 12 months to May.
We continue advertising through national TV, newspapers and broadcast radio, on social media and digital information screens in Post Offices and GP surgeries across GB.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of the Climate Change Committee's recommendations on (a) methane capture and (b) oxidation rates at landfill sites in its Sixth Carbon Budget Waste Report, published 4 December 2020; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Graham Stuart
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of retiring the Renewables Obligation Certificate scheme for landfill gas to energy generation sites by 2027 on methane emissions; and what steps her Department plans to take to increase methane capture rates at landfill sites.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government does not intend to extend the Renewables Obligation scheme beyond the end dates for support in 2027 and 2037, depending on when the generating station was accredited. However, finding efficient ways to re-use existing stations that otherwise might decommission could be important for reducing methane emissions, as recognised in the Biomass Strategy. The Government is exploring the most appropriate revenue support mechanism for repowering existing stations across all technology types where this delivers value to the consumer.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will extend the Renewables Obligation Certificate scheme beyond 2027 for existing landfill gas to energy generation sites.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government does not intend to extend the Renewables Obligation scheme beyond the end dates for support in 2027 and 2037, depending on when the generating station was accredited. However, finding efficient ways to re-use existing stations that otherwise might decommission could be important for reducing methane emissions, as recognised in the Biomass Strategy. The Government is exploring the most appropriate revenue support mechanism for repowering existing stations across all technology types where this delivers value to the consumer.