Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Ed Davey and David Rutley(10 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Mr Davey
I do welcome the publication of the climate legislation study. The United Kingdom, including many parliamentarians throughout the House, has played a leading role in encouraging other countries to enact climate change legislation, and it is encouraging to see how many have responded. I pay tribute to the Members involved, particularly the hon. Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner).
I cannot add anything to the answer I gave earlier about the fourth carbon budget review, which is currently under way. When we published the fourth carbon budget, it was decided that a review would take place at this time, and I cannot prejudice its outcome.
David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)
T8. How quickly will my right hon. Friend act on the important findings of the Wood review?
Mr Davey
We have already set up an implementation group in the Department, because Sir Ian Wood published an interim report and we were able to study it and make preparations. I asked Sir Ian to chair an interim advisory panel to help us with our work, and he has agreed to do so. We are also keen to introduce legislation during the next Session of Parliament to implement his ideas about new powers for the proposed new regulator.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Ed Davey and David Rutley(10 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Mr Davey
I assure the hon. Gentleman that I am certainly not complacent, but I am aware of major investments that we believe will go forward, and that will reassure the industry and the supply chain. We already have the world’s largest deployment of offshore wind, and we are already recognised by Ernst and Young as the top place in the world in which to invest in offshore wind. With the Energy Bill going through the House with cross-party support, that gives a real signal to investors in offshore wind.
David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)
10. What recent assessment he has made of the UK’s energy security.
UK Nuclear Energy Programme
Debate between Ed Davey and David Rutley(10 years, 6 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)
I welcome today’s announcement, and I am delighted that this Government take seriously the role of nuclear in safeguarding our energy supply for decades to come. Given the opportunity presented by Hinkley Point, will my right hon. Friend tell us what steps are being taken, working with our partners in this project, to improve the UK skills base so that we have skills in this vital sector for decades to come?
Mr Davey
A huge amount is being done. EDF is investing in the local college to make sure that some local people get to benefit from Hinkley Point C. We also have the national skills academy for nuclear, which is taking forward skills for the wider industry. Many of our universities are more engaged in research and development, too. If my hon. Friend looks at the industrial strategy that we launched, to which I have referred several times, he will see that there is a big role in it for developing skills.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Ed Davey and David Rutley
Mr Davey
I think I met the big six together in one group last month. I will have to clarify the date on which we spoke. We discussed a number of issues. I made it clear to them that competition and consumer service are critical. One of the best ways to make sure that companies make reasonable profits is through healthy competition.
David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)
10. What steps he is taking to ensure the UK leads the way in energy efficiency.
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Edward Davey)
This Government’s November energy efficiency strategy clearly sets out the importance of reducing our energy demand and how the UK has an opportunity to lead the world in improving its energy efficiency. Game-changing initiatives such as the green deal, electricity demand reduction and the roll-out of smart meters are central to realising this opportunity.
David Rutley
Does my right hon. Friend agree that helping to improve home insulation is vital when helping to take people out of fuel poverty? What is this Government’s energy company obligation doing to help vulnerable and lower-income families in that vital task?
Mr Davey
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Energy prices have gone up massively on global markets and we as a Government need to cushion people from those rising prices by helping them with energy efficiency, and through the green deal and ECO we are doing just that. The affordable warmth component of ECO is already making a major difference for people in fuel poverty and helping to tackle it.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Ed Davey and David Rutley
Mr Davey
The right hon. Lady started by saying that the industry will be laughing, but Paul Barwell, the chief executive of the Solar Trade Association, said in The Independent on 9 May 2012:
“The current 21p subsidy can actually give a return up to 10 per cent, tax-free, index-linked, for 25 years, making it one of the most attractive investments around.”
That is what the industry is saying. The Government will abide by all the procedures required by the House and lay the regulations when required.
David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)
2. What progress his Department has made on the introduction of the green deal.