Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Freeman and John Penrose

Tuesday 29th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

Unlike the Scottish nationalists, we are committed to the private-public partnership that drives investment in our nuclear industry, and Sizewell C is a major commitment. The Government are proud to be partnering with industry, and it is a shame that the Scottish nationalists are not similarly partnering with industry for the benefit of Scots voters and bill payers.

[John Penrose (Weston-super-Mare) (Con)]

13. If he will publish a White Paper on the long-term structure of the UK energy sector after the energy price guarantee ends.

Britain’s Industrial Future

Debate between George Freeman and John Penrose

Tuesday 15th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

I would point out that last week, Green Lithium announced the UK’s first large-scale merchant lithium refinery and the first such refinery in Europe, to be built in Teesport, supported by the automotive transformation fund.

[John Penrose]

I want to ask the Minister the same question that I asked the hon. Member for Sefton Central (Bill Esterson) about a potential solution to the problems of high electricity costs faced by energy-intensive industries such as steel, which we have been hearing about from Opposition Members. Would a carbon border adjustment mechanism, which the Government have already consulted on and committed to in principle, help to level the playing field between British energy costs and those abroad, therefore making British heavy industry—particularly energy-intensive industries—far more competitive on the international stage?

[George Freeman]

My hon. Friend, as ever, makes a very interesting policy observation; as Minister for science, I will not accept it at the Dispatch Box, but I will raise it with the Ministers for industry and for energy.