Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 16th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)]

1. What steps her Department is taking to support floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic sea.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

14. What plans she has to support floating offshore wind farms.

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Claire Coutinho)]

Britain is a pioneer of floating offshore wind. We are working with the Crown Estate to lease 4.5 GW of seabed capacity for floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea, and we are supporting emerging technologies with a separate funding pot in allocation round 6.

--- Later in debate ---

[Claire Coutinho]

I thank my hon. Friend, who is a doughty campaigner for floating offshore wind. I am unable to comment on any specific concerns about a particular planning decision, but I am sure the relevant Minister will be happy to meet her to discuss how the Government can provide better guidance on compensation. People whose land is acquired compulsorily should not be left worse off financially, and compensation should be offered in line with the statutory compensation code.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

What assistance can be had for those fast-growing enterprises principally reliant on equity?

[Claire Coutinho]

I thank my right hon. Friend for a typically pithy question. We are doing an enormous amount to support the landscape for investments in this country that rely on equity, whether that is through full capital expensing, or, in my area of responsibility, the green industries growth accelerator.