Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gagan Mohindra and Grant Shapps

Tuesday 4th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the impact of ending gas imports from Russia on energy security.

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Grant Shapps)]

Ending Russian imports in April 2022 has shown that Russian gas belongs in the past. Our system was well supplied last winter by North sea gas and reliable imports—a far cry from Labour’s energy surrender plan, sponsored by Just Stop Oil, which would put us back at square one and in the hands of despots such as Putin and his tyrannical regime.

[Mr Mohindra]

I welcome the Secretary of State’s answer. Could he explain what steps his Department is taking to ensure that no country will ever be able to hold the UK to ransom through our energy supply?

[Grant Shapps]

It is about having a balanced energy supply, which means renewables, nuclear power, and yes, where necessary, oil and gas licences—to do without them puts the security of every single person in this country at risk and means that household bills will go up. Sadly, that is exactly the policy of His Majesty’s official Opposition.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gagan Mohindra and Grant Shapps

Thursday 30th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Davies (Grantham and Stamford) (Con)]

18. What assessment he has made of the economic impact of the rail industrial action between 21 and 25 June 2022.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Grant Shapps)]

The Centre for Economics and Business Research has estimated the cost of the RMT’s strike action to be at least £91 million due to workplace absences. However, Network Rail has estimated the direct cost of last week’s strike to the rail industry to be between £100 million and £150 million.

[Mr Mohindra]

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. The effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the rail industry has been well documented, as have been his and the Chancellor’s extensive efforts in providing support for our railways during that time. Does my right hon. Friend share my disappointment that, after two years of taxpayers’ money being spent subsidising the rail industry, the RMT chose to strike instead of accepting the pay rise it has been offered or continuing to negotiate?

[Grant Shapps]

My hon. Friend is right, but it is actually even worse than that. Not only was £16 billion of taxpayers’ money put in—£600 per family in this country, or £160,000 per individual railway employee—but the RMT balloted for strike action under the false pretence that there would not be a pay rise, when in fact the pay freeze had already ended. That is unjustified and unjustifiable action that the whole House should be condemning.