Oral Answers to Questions

Deirdre Costigan Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Miatta Fahnbulleh]

I ask the hon. Member to show some humility. On his watch, from 2016 to 2024, 75,000 oil and gas jobs were lost, because the Conservatives had no plan. Candidly, I will not take lectures from the Conservative party. We are clear that there will be a plan for oil and gas workers in this country, because we do not do what the Tories do—industrial transition that denudes and guts our communities. That is not the Labour way. We will have a plan. They have no grounds to stand on.

[Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall) (Lab)]

T4. St Ann’s school, Grove House nursery and North primary school in Ealing Southall are all getting new solar panels because of this Government’s investment in Great British Energy. Does the Minister agree that the work he is doing to bring down energy bills for schools will allow more money to be spent where it matters—on teaching and learning?

[The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)]

I congratulate St Ann’s, Grove House and North primary school on getting solar panels on their rooftops. I have visited schools that have had solar installed; it is fantastic to see the young people learning about renewable energy at the same time as bills go down in the school and more money is invested in frontline teaching. That is exactly what we want Great British Energy to deliver.