Grant Shapps Portrait

Grant Shapps

Conservative - Former Member for Welwyn Hatfield

First elected: 5th May 2005

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Grant Shapps is not a member of any APPGs
2 Former APPG memberships
Blockchain, General Aviation
Secretary of State for Defence
31st Aug 2023 - 5th Jul 2024
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
7th Feb 2023 - 31st Aug 2023
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
25th Oct 2022 - 7th Feb 2023
Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill
26th Oct 2022 - 1st Nov 2022
Home Secretary
19th Oct 2022 - 25th Oct 2022
Secretary of State for Transport
24th Jul 2019 - 6th Sep 2022
Minister of State (Department for International Development)
8th May 2015 - 28th Nov 2015
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
15th Jul 2015 - 26th Oct 2015
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
6th Sep 2012 - 8th May 2015
Minister of State (Department for Communities and Local Government) (Housing)
13th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
11th Oct 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government) (Housing and Planning)
20th Dec 2007 - 6th May 2010
Co-Chair, Conservative Party
1st Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Public Administration Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 26th Feb 2007


Division Voting information

Grant Shapps has voted in 2855 divisions, and 24 times against the majority of their Party.

3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
12 Mar 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative No votes vs 235 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 391
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
13 Mar 2017 - Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 17 Conservative Aye votes vs 123 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 172 Noes - 142
23 Feb 2015 - Serious Crime Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 78 Conservative No votes vs 151 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 201 Noes - 292
21 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 124 Conservative Aye votes vs 134 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 161
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 121 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 150 Noes - 340
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 95 Conservative No votes vs 125 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 148 Noes - 339
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 321
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 131 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 400 Noes - 175
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative No votes vs 93 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 299
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 111 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 107 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Conservative No votes vs 101 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Conservative Aye votes vs 82 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 77 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 110 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 50 Conservative No votes vs 80 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative No votes vs 98 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 103 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 55 Conservative Aye votes vs 121 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 337 Noes - 224
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Grant Shapps voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
View All Grant Shapps Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(83 debate interactions)
Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op))
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
(34 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(1080 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(342 debate contributions)
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
(130 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Energy Act 2023
(4,127 words contributed)
Digital Economy Act 2017
(2,024 words contributed)
Finance Act 2019
(788 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Grant Shapps's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Grant Shapps

Grant Shapps has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Grant Shapps, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Grant Shapps has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Grant Shapps

Monday 21st June 2010

1 Bill introduced by Grant Shapps


A Bill to make provision about minimum service levels in connection with the taking by trade unions of strike action relating to certain services.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 20th July 2023 and was enacted into law.

Grant Shapps has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
26th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect on value for the taxpayer of a small number of large companies dominating the market for tendered government contracts.

The Government awards contracts through fair and open competition, in line with principles of equal treatment, transparency and non-discrimination. To encourage competition and more access by SMEs to government contracts, we now require public buyers to divide contracts into more accessible lots (or explain why not) so that tender requirements can be matched to smaller businesses’ specialisms.

19th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to support SME to compete for tendered Government contracts.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this Government is committed to supporting them in securing public sector contracts.

To that end, we have already streamlined our procurement processes to assist small businesses, and we continue to focus on breaking down the barriers that might deter SMEs.

We are committed to working with SMEs and our aspiration remains to spend 33% with them by the end of 2022.

19th Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to remove disproportionate financial turnover requirements in tendered Government contracts for SMEs.

Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Contracting Authorities are only allowed to require suppliers to have a turn over that is twice the value of the contract they are applying for.

If a supplier is asked for a disproportionate turnover requirements they can report this to our Mystery Shopper Service, who will investigate on their behalf.

9th Jul 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the number of energy smart meters that are operating in dumb mode.

It is estimated there are currently around 637,000 smart meters being operated by the 14 large suppliers in ‘traditional’ mode.

There were more than 11 million smart and advanced meters operating in Great Britain in ‘smart mode’ as at the end of March 2018.

The Data and Communications Company (DCC) will move SMETS1 meters into its national system, starting later this year, so that all consumers can keep their smart services when they switch energy supplier, regardless of which generation of meter they have installed.

2nd May 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of all energy network companies refunding excess profits to consumers.

Energy network regulation, including the setting of price controls, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator and, by law, Government has no role in this process.

The current price control, RIIO-1, has led to significant benefits for consumers with gain share mechanisms resulting in savings worth over £5 billion. As part of this some companies have made voluntary returns of revenue, reflecting changes in investment that were planned at the start of the price controls but are now no longer required. Ofgem estimates that these returns will result in benefits to consumers worth more than £700 million.

27th Apr 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to support Ofgem in ensuring that the new RIIO-2 price control framework is tougher on energy network companies.

Network regulation, including setting the next energy network price control, RIIO-2, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator. By law, Government has no role in this process.

Ofgem states that its proposals for RIIO-2 are expected to save consumers £5 billion over 5 years or around £15-25 per household bill.

Government welcomes regulators and network companies acting in the best interests of consumers and expects consumers to get a fair deal.

16th Apr 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the Government will assess the effectiveness of (a) protections in law for workers from penalisation for whistle-blowing and (b) incentives to ensure that workers are not dissuaded from raising matters of improper conduct relating to their place of work.

In 2013 the Government published a wide-ranging call for evidence on the effectiveness of the whistleblowing framework. The Government’s response in 2014 set out a plan of legislative and non-legislative actions to improve the framework: those actions are essentially complete. We believe that the legal framework is effective, but as the Government response said, the legal framework in isolation cannot prevent malpractice or encourage people to raise their concerns. The steps that we have taken since 2014 also help to address the wider cultural barriers to effective whistleblowing.

The Government considers that financial incentives for whistleblowers would be unlikely to increase the number of quality disclosures received and could have adverse consequences.

13th Apr 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what incentives the Government provides for whistleblowers to come forward with information before an incident has occurred; and what steps he is taking to tackle the practice of penalising whistleblowers.

The Employment Rights Act 1996 provides employment protection for workers in all sectors who have blown the whistle. It enables them to seek redress if they are dismissed or suffer detriment at the hands of the employer because they have made a ‘protected disclosure’ about wrongdoing that they have witnessed at work. While workers can secure compensation at Employment Tribunal in these circumstances, the Government does not generally offer incentives for whistleblowers.

21st Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many (a) domestic and (b) small non-domestic energy customers are presently on time of use tariffs.

As of 31st December 2016, in Great Britain, there were 4.4 million domestic time of use (Economy 7 type meters). Of these, BEIS estimate that there were around 3.1 million domestic customers on Economy 7 or 10 tariffs.

While a number of suppliers are offering time of use and other innovative tariffs enabled by smart metering and elective half-hourly settlement, we do not have information on the number of domestic customers on these types of tariffs.

As of 31st December 2016, in Great Britain, there were around 500,000 non-domestic profile 4 Economy 7 type meters (used by small non-domestic customers). However some properties with Economy 7 meters will be on single rate tariffs.

Source:

An estimate for the number of Economy 7 meters in Great Britain can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/regional-and-local-authority-electricity-consumption-statistics

20th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many SMETS2 meters (a) have been installed and (b) are operational.

The rollout of smart meters is making good progress, with nearly 440,000 meters being installed every month and a total of 10 million meters already operating as of 31 December 2017.

As of the end of January 2018, industry information showed there were around 450 SMETS2 meters connected to the DCC system. Most of these were being operated in test conditions and around 80 had been installed in the live environment.

20th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that savings from the roll-out of smart meters will be passed on to consumers.

Smart metering will give consumers the tools they need – through access to energy consumption data – to take control of their energy use. Consumers can start saving energy from the moment their smart meter is installed. In a recent survey Smart Energy GB found that 86% of people with a smart meter said they made energy saving changes to their behaviour.

Suppliers have a strong incentive to keep costs down. If suppliers do not deliver the programme cost-efficiently, they risk losing customers to their competitors.

Smart meters will help improve engagement and competition. The Programme will give households the information to allow them to be more active consumers and more easily act upon poor service of expensive tariffs, by being able to switch suppliers quickly and simply.

Ahead of that, the Government is introducing legislation to cap poor value standard variable and default tariffs.

14th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of the 8.6 million smart meters installed by the end of 2017 were (a) advanced and (b) SMETS1 meters.

As of 30th September 2017, there were over 8.6 million smart and advanced meters operating across homes and businesses in Great Britain, by both large and small energy suppliers. Of those, around 7.7 million were smart meters and around 0.89 million were advanced meters.

The Government publishes quarterly reports on the number of smart electricity and gas meters installed in Great Britain as part of its Smart Meters statistics collection. As part of each statistical release, a breakdown by meter type is provided:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics.

7th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of ensuring that fines levied on energy companies for failing to meet their smart meter roll-out targets are not passed on to consumers through higher bills; and if he will make a statement.

Energy suppliers’ licence conditions require them to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to roll-out smart meters to all their domestic and small business customers by 31 December 2020. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against this obligation.

Ofgem will make decisions on whether to take action against energy suppliers that do not comply with their smart meter obligations in line with their Enforcement Guidelines. This is consistent with the approach taken on any other regulatory breaches by energy suppliers. A number of factors are taken into account including customer detriment. Ofgem’s Enforcement Guidelines are available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/enforcement-guidelines

7th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of imposing fines on energy companies that do not meet their smart meter roll-out obligations.

Energy suppliers’ licence conditions require them to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to roll-out smart meters to all their domestic and small business customers by 31 December 2020. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against this obligation.

Ofgem will make decisions on whether to take action against energy suppliers that do not comply with their smart meter obligations in line with their Enforcement Guidelines. This is consistent with the approach taken on any other regulatory breaches by energy suppliers. A number of factors are taken into account including customer detriment. Ofgem’s Enforcement Guidelines are available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/enforcement-guidelines

5th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of whether the target of installing 53 million energy smart meters by 2020 will be met.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all homes and small businesses are offered smart meters by the end of 2020. The Programme is well underway, there are now over 8.6 million smart and advanced meters operating across homes and businesses across Great Britain with around 400,000 being installed every month. The rollout of smart meters is on track to deliver significant benefits, including putting an end to estimated bills, and is set to save consumers £300m in 2020 alone.

Energy suppliers are responsible for planning and delivering the roll-out of smart meters, working within the legal framework established by the Government. Energy suppliers’ licence conditions require them to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to roll-out smart meters to all their domestic and small business customers by 31 December 2020. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against this obligation.

5th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the number of energy smart meters which are operating in dumb mode.

It is estimated there are currently around 400,000 meters being operated by large suppliers in ‘traditional’ mode.

There were more than 8.6 million smart and advanced meters operating in Great Britain, in ‘smart mode’, as of 30 September 2017.

The Data and Communications Company (DCC) will move SMETS1 meters into its national system, starting later this year, so that all consumers can keep their smart services when they switch energy supplier, regardless of which generation of meter they have installed.

5th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the smart meter roll-out plans submitted by energy companies to OFGEM to meet the 2020 deadline.

Energy suppliers are responsible for planning and delivering the roll-out of smart meters, working within the regulatory framework established by the Government. Energy suppliers’ licence conditions require them to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to roll-out smart meters to all their domestic and small business customers by 31 December 2020. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against this obligation and assessing the adequacy of smart meter roll-out plans submitted to them by energy suppliers.

22nd Jan 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the proposed Consumer Green Paper is planned to contain any measures to improve consumer representation in the mobile and broadband market.

The Consumer Green Paper will tackle areas where markets are not working well for consumers.

29th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will take steps to encourage local communities to set up no cold calling zones.

The Government is aware that doorstep selling can be regarded as a nuisance but it is a legitimate form of trading, provided all the legislation regulating the practice is observed.

The Government has no plans to regulate further in this area; the unfair trading or criminal activities of rogue traders are already subject to consumer protection and other criminal statues, and the enforcement authorities have adequate powers to see that the law is applied where there is evidence of wrong-doing.

The need or case for setting up No Cold Calling Zones is a local matter.

20th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the hours of trading on Sundays for shops larger than 280 square metres.

The Government assessed the Sunday Trading Act previously and sought to change the rules last year by providing a power so that local authorities could take decisions on extending Sunday trading hours locally.

Parliament decided not to support those proposals and the Government has no plans to bring forward further legislation at this time.

20th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to devolve powers over Sunday trading laws to local authorities.

The Government sought to change the rules last year by providing a power so that local authorities could take decisions on extending Sunday trading hours locally.

Parliament decided not to support those proposals and the Government has no plans to bring forward further legislation at this time.

28th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the effect of recent change in the value of sterling on exports from the UK's manufacturing sector.

The latest manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index survey shows new export orders increasing for the ninth successive month.

Data from the Office for National Statistics show that manufacturing output increased by 1.2% in the three months to December compared to the three months to September, and that the volume of exports increased by 7.1% over the same period.

We are not complacent and we know that promoting trade delivery is more important than ever for the UK: the creation of the Department for International Trade (DIT) demonstrates clearly that the Government is committed to promoting international trade and investment in manufacturing.

27th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential benefits to the North West economy of the shale gas extraction industry.

The economic impact of shale both locally and nationally will depend on how far shale development is technically and commercially viable, and on the level of production reached. A thriving shale industry could involve a wide range of local jobs, in construction supply, transport, facilities support and consultancy. Shale gas development would in turn support jobs in sectors such as the chemical industry, much of which relies on natural gas as a feedstock.

The Government believe it is important that communities which host shale development see a share of the economic benefits. To ensure that this happens, a community benefits package has been brought forward by industry. The Government has also announced that it will create a Shale Wealth Fund to ensure that communities which host shale sites can also share in the wider benefits of shale development.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
27th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the report of the House of Lords Economics Affairs Committee, The Price of Power: Reforming the Electricity Market, HL 113, published on 24 February 2017, if his Department will make an assessment of the extent to which emissions have been exported from the UK to other countries as a result of the relocation to those countries of UK energy intensive industries.

As set out in the Industrial Strategy green paper, the Government will set out in 2017 a long-term roadmap to minimise business energy costs. We are already taking a range of measures to protect industry from the risk of competitiveness impacts and carbon leakage – where emissions are exported to other countries - due to energy and climate change policy.

This includes a package of relief for energy intensive industries (EIIs), such as steel and chemicals, whose competitiveness may be impacted by the effect of energy and climate change policies on electricity costs.

In addition, under the EU Emissions Trading System, carbon allowances are allocated for free to sectors judged at risk of carbon leakage because of their high carbon and trade intensity.

The Government will respond to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee’s report in due course.

18th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the headline strike price proposed for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project is; and if he will make a statement.

The Contract for Difference negotiations are commercially sensitive and I cannot comment on the specifics of the developer’s latest proposals.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
16th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he expects the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon power plan to be complete and operational.

The commissioning date of the proposed project is a matter for the developer. It would be dependent on a range of factors outside the control of Government, including the securing of all necessary regulatory permissions. It would also be subject to the successful conclusion of any Contract for Difference negotiation and state aid clearance.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
16th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to leverage large-scale private investment in the funding of the planned Swansea Bay tidal lagoon power plant.

The Government is considering the findings of the independent review and will decide, in light of the relevant factors, whether or not to proceed with the negotiation of a Contract for Difference (CfD) for the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project.

As with all low carbon electricity projects, funding arrangements for the development and construction of individual projects are matters for the developer.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
16th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what forecast he has made of when all six proposed tidal lagoon power plants in England and Wales will be completed and operational.

Government is currently considering the issues which would arise from a broader lagoon programme as part of its overall assessment of the Hendry Review. A Government response to that review will be published in due course.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
16th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information he holds on where the proposed tidal lagoon power plants in England and Wales, other than Swansea Bay, are likely to be built.

The Government is currently considering the recommendations set out in the Hendry Review, including its assessment of site location for tidal lagoons. The proposed Swansea Bay project is the only project which has received a Development Consent Order. The Hendry Review considers other possible sites; none of these have entered the planning process.

A Government response to the Hendry Review will be published in due course.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
19th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether a price has been agreed with the operators of Hinkley Point C to cover periods of low demand and oversupply in which the power station may have to stop generating.

If a generator is curtailed by the National Electricity Transmission System Operator (NETSO – currently National Grid in England) compensation is provided to that generator under current market arrangements. The Hinkley Point C Contract for Difference provides protection if these market arrangements were to change and the generator is left worse off as a result of such curtailment.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
19th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the local community response to the pre-planning consultations for Bradwell B and Sizewell C Power Stations.

It is the responsibility of developers to consult with local communities at the pre-application stage of proposals for nationally significant energy infrastructure which require development consent under the Planning Act 2008.

Applications for such projects are examined by the Planning Inspectorate which reports with its recommendation to my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who will then decide whether or not to grant development consent.

The Secretary of State will take into account the community consultations carried out by the developer in reaching his decisions on whether or not to grant development consent but it would not be appropriate for the Department to comment on those consultations at the pre-application stage in the process.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
19th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on plans to improve highway infrastructure around the construction sites of Sizewell C to facilitate additional construction traffic; and who will be responsible for funding such improvements.

It is up to the developer to decide on what highway infrastructure improvements to facilitate construction traffic to the site it wishes to include in its application after giving proper consideration to the responses it receives to its pre-application consultation. The developer is currently consulting on a number of proposals linked to Sizewell C – with the consultation period running from 23rd November 2016 through to 3rd February 2017. Funding of highway infrastructure to be included in an application for development consent for Sizewell C would be a matter for the developer to consider.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
19th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many proposals have been submitted for the construction of new nuclear power stations since 2000.

Since 2000 there has been one proposal put forward for a development consent order for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
19th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what sanctions are available to his Department should construction of Hinkley Point C run behind schedule or over budget.

EDF has a strong incentive to build Hinkley Point C on time (i.e. by 2025) because of the loss of expected revenues after that time if not.

If EDF does not start generating four years after 2025, then there will be reductions to the contract term; this means that for every day that HPC is late, the period of time where EDF gets increased certainty on the price of its electricity will be reduced.

If HPC is not generating electricity by 2033, there is an option in the contract to cancel the contract. Finally, EDF will pay any extra costs if the cost of building the plant goes over budget.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
30th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding the Government plans to grant for GMO research between 2017 and 2020.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) research is funded by the Government through a number of channels, including the Research Councils and Innovate UK.

The Research Councils welcome applications supporting any aspect of their research portfolio. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. Research proposals in all areas, including GMO research, compete for funding available from the Research Councils.

Innovate UK supports industry-led translational research in this field on a project by project basis. All project applications are independently assessed with only the most high quality and innovative proposals securing funding. Potential future investments in the translation and development of GMO technologies will be made on this basis.

30th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Capacity Mechanism on household electricity prices.

The Capacity Market enables us to buy energy in advance and is designed to ensure that families and businesses have access to secure, affordable energy supplies they can rely on.

As the Capacity Mechanism is a series of auctions, prices are subject to strong competition and the costs depend on the auctions’ clearing prices. The two principal auctions held so far have secured capacity needed for 2018/19, and for 2019/20, at costs in those years of around £980m and £830m respectively (2015 values). This equates to gross household bill impacts of around £10 per year, but this figure will be significantly offset when reduced wholesale price spikes are taken into account. Estimates made at the time of the introduction of the Capacity Market in 2014 suggested it would add only £2 net per year to a typical household energy bill on average over the long-term.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
30th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page 21 of his Department's report on electricity generation costs, published in November 2016, when his Department plans to publish its findings of the whole system impacts investigation.

To improve the Department’s understanding of the impacts of individual electricity generation technologies, Frontier Economics were commissioned to develop a comprehensive framework to define whole system impacts and their components and drivers, which can be applied to a range of electricity generation technologies. The resulting methodology report and its peer reviews will be published in due course.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
23rd Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the green purposes of the Green Investment Bank are retained after it is sold.

The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016.

As stated in that document, the Government has asked potential investors to confirm their commitment to GIB’s green values and investment principles and how they propose to protect them, as part of their bids for the company. In addition, the Government has approved the creation of a special share to protect GIB’s green purposes in future.

21st Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment criteria are being applied to potential buyers of the Green Investment Bank.

The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016. This includes the Governments objectives for the sale.

21st Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on what date he expects the sale of shares in the Green Investment Bank to be completed.

The Government launched the sale process on 3 March 2016 and expects it to be complete before the end of the financial year.

21st Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what stake the Government plans to retain in the Green Investment Bank.

The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016.

As stated in that document, Government intends to sell a majority of GIB, with the final size of the stake in GIB to be sold depending on the outcome of confidential commercial discussions with investors and driven by what best achieves our objectives for the sale, particularly ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.

21st Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the potential revenue to be obtained from the proposed sale of Green Investment Bank shares.

The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016.

One of the primary objectives of the sale is to achieve value for money for the taxpayer. The revenue from the sale will depend on the outcome of discussions with investors, which are commercially confidential at this stage.

31st Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to simplify planning and administrative processes required before exploratory drilling can take place for shale gas.

Before shale operations begin, it is important that a developer is required to obtain all the necessary permissions, including planning and environmental permits.

The UK has an effective planning system to consider and scrutinise unconventional oil and gas developments. On 16 September 2015, the Government published a joint Written Ministerial Statement[1] to make the planning system faster and fairer for those affected by new development, recognising that no one benefits from uncertainty caused by delay. We will keep the regulatory regime for shale under review as the industry develops to ensure it is proportionate and fit for purpose.

[1] http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-09-16/HCWS202/

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
24th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the renewable subsidies programme on household electricity bills.

Renewables subsidies are estimated to account for around 6% of an average household dual fuel bill of £1,029 in 2016.*

* Source: National Audit Office analysis of Department of Energy & Climate Change data, July 2016. Figures in real 2011/12 prices.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
17th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to hold a second phase of the Small Modular Reactor Competition; and if he will make a statement.

As the Government stated at the outset of the competition, the intention of Phase One was to gauge market interest among global market actors in developing, commercialising and financing Small Modular Reactor Competitions in the UK. The evidence gathered during Phase One is being used to inform policy decisions, including the design of any future stages of the competition. Given that Phase One is still continuing, I am not able to provide any further information at this stage.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
14th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment of public opinion his Department has made on the construction of nuclear power stations on sites not currently occupied by such stations.

The Government listed those sites potentially suitable for the deployment of new nuclear power stations in the National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation:

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47859/2009-nps-for-nuclear-volumeI.pdf.

The draft National Policy Statement and list of potentially suitable sites underwent wide public consultation, including engagement with those local communities potentially affected by proposals, as well as parliamentary scrutiny before being designated in 2011.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
14th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of accelerating the Small Modular Reactor Competition process.

Since launching the first phase of the competition in March, we have been exploring the potential of different Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designs and routes to commercialisation. In doing so we have drawn on the findings of the independent Techno-Economic Assessment, the Phase One expressions of interest documents, the meetings held by officials over the summer with 32 technology vendors, service providers and potential investors, and our continuing discussions with regulators. This evidence is being used to inform the future of the competition. The timings for any future competition phases is being kept under review, in line with wider SMR policy development.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
14th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what forecast he has made of the date when the Government's Small Modular Reactor Competition (Phase One) will be completed.

At the time of the competition launch, it was announced as part of the Guidance for the Small Modular Reactor competition that we envisaged Phase One lasting until autumn 2016. We are not working to a specific date.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
14th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the cost of the Small Modular Reactor Competition (Phase One) to its completion.

As stated in the published Guidance, the objective of this initial phase was to inform the development of government policy and the design of any subsequent competition stages, by gauging market interest in developing, commercialising and financing Small Modular Reactors in the UK. As such, a cost assessment has not been undertaken.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons