James Heappey
Conservative - Former Member for Wells
First elected: 7th May 2015
Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)
8 Former APPG memberships
Energy Storage, Energy Studies, Events Industry, Internet, Communications and Technology, Mining and Quarrying, Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Rugby Union Football Club, Rural BusinessDivision Voting information
James Heappey voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 84 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 332 Noes - 99
James Heappey voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 45 Conservative Aye votes vs 102 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 207 Noes - 117
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
(41 debate interactions)
(28 debate interactions)
(23 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(751 debate contributions)
(108 debate contributions)
(27 debate contributions)
(27 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(6,442 words contributed)
(5,440 words contributed)
(3,588 words contributed)
(3,243 words contributed)
Latest EDMs signed by James Heappey
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by James Heappey, 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.
James Heappey has not been granted any Urgent Questions
1 Adjournment Debate led by James Heappey
James Heappey has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
6 Bills co-sponsored by James Heappey
Armed Forces (Derogation from European Convention on Human Rights) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Leo Docherty (Con)
Bathing Waters Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Scott Mann (Con)
Energy Consumption (Innovative Technologies) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Rebecca Pow (Con)
Local Electricity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jeremy Lefroy (Con)
Diplomatic Service (United Kingdom Wines and Sparkling Wines) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - None ()
Events and Festivals (Control of Flares, Fireworks and Smoke Bombs Etc) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - Nigel Adams (Con)
Latest 29 Written Questions
(View all written questions)2 Other Department Questions
Breaches of the Trading Schemes legislation (i.e. the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the regulations made under it) would be referred to the lawyers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Criminal Enforcement to determine whether or not a criminal investigation should be undertaken. The matter may also be referred to the Insolvency Service, to investigate and ascertain whether the offending company should be wound up in the public interest. The 1973 Act does not confer an express enforcement duty on any particular body, however this Department would look to bring a case in appropriate circumstances. Otherwise, enforcement could fall to Trading Standards or possibly the Competition Markets Authority should widespread malpractice be suspected.
Table 1 shows the number of Apprenticeship starts in England from the 1997/98 academic year to 2014/15.
Table 1: Apprenticeship Starts, England, 1997/98 to 2014/15 | ||
Academic Year | Apprenticeship Starts | |
1997/98 | 75,000 | |
1998/99 | 118,000 | |
1999/00 | 165,000 | |
2000/01 | 177,000 | |
2001/02 | 162,000 | |
- | - | |
2002/03 | 167,700 | |
2003/04 | 193,600 | |
2004/05 | 189,000 | |
2005/06 | 175,000 | |
2006/07 | 184,400 | |
2007/08 | 224,800 | |
2008/09 | 239,900 | |
2009/10 | 279,700 | |
2010/11 | 457,200 | |
2011/12 | 520,600 | |
2012/13 | 510,200 | |
2013/14 | 440,400 | |
2014/15 | 499,900 | |
Notes: | ||
1) Data source for 2002/03 onwards is the Individualised Learner Record. Data source from 1997/98 to 2001/02 was the Individualised Student Record, managed by the Further Education Funding Council. Therefore data prior to 2002/03 is not directly comparable to later years. | ||
2) Data for 2002/03 onwards is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships | ||
3) Data prior to 2002/03 are rounded to the nearest thousand. | ||
4) Data from 2002/03 onwards are rounded to the nearest hundred. | ||
16 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions
(View all James Heappey's BEIS questions)The Trading Schemes Act 1996 amended Part XI (pyramid selling and similar trading schemes) of the Fair Trading Act 1973. The 1973 Act, as it now stands, does not confer an express enforcement duty on any particular body. The Department for Trade and Industry has previously led on enforcement of the 1973 Act, and its functions have now transferred to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Network charging is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, and it is leading the review of embedded benefits related to Transmission Network Use of System charges. The Department has received a number of stakeholder representations regarding embedded benefits, and we have made Ofgem aware of these. Proposals for changing the embedded benefits regime are currently being progressed through an open industry process, and it is likely that Ofgem will undertake a further consultation and impact assessment in early 2017, but will make a decision on approach when they receive the final modification report. We will engage with Ofgem as part of its assessment process to ensure that Government policy interests are taken into account, including aspects such as the potential effect of reducing the level of embedded benefits on the renewable energy sector, electricity storage, household and business electricity costs (including industrial manufacturing), and security of supply.
Network charging is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, and it is leading the review of embedded benefits related to Transmission Network Use of System charges. The Department has received a number of stakeholder representations regarding embedded benefits, and we have made Ofgem aware of these. Proposals for changing the embedded benefits regime are currently being progressed through an open industry process, and it is likely that Ofgem will undertake a further consultation and impact assessment in early 2017, but will make a decision on approach when they receive the final modification report. We will engage with Ofgem as part of its assessment process to ensure that Government policy interests are taken into account, including aspects such as the potential effect of reducing the level of embedded benefits on the renewable energy sector, electricity storage, household and business electricity costs (including industrial manufacturing), and security of supply.
Network charging is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, and it is leading the review of embedded benefits related to Transmission Network Use of System charges. The Department has received a number of stakeholder representations regarding embedded benefits, and we have made Ofgem aware of these. Proposals for changing the embedded benefits regime are currently being progressed through an open industry process, and it is likely that Ofgem will undertake a further consultation and impact assessment in early 2017, but will make a decision on approach when they receive the final modification report. We will engage with Ofgem as part of its assessment process to ensure that Government policy interests are taken into account, including aspects such as the potential effect of reducing the level of embedded benefits on the renewable energy sector, electricity storage, household and business electricity costs (including industrial manufacturing), and security of supply.
Network charging is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, and it is leading the review of embedded benefits related to Transmission Network Use of System charges. The Department has received a number of stakeholder representations regarding embedded benefits, and we have made Ofgem aware of these. Proposals for changing the embedded benefits regime are currently being progressed through an open industry process, and it is likely that Ofgem will undertake a further consultation and impact assessment in early 2017, but will make a decision on approach when they receive the final modification report. We will engage with Ofgem as part of its assessment process to ensure that Government policy interests are taken into account, including aspects such as the potential effect of reducing the level of embedded benefits on the renewable energy sector, electricity storage, household and business electricity costs (including industrial manufacturing), and security of supply.
Network charging is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, and it is leading the review of embedded benefits related to Transmission Network Use of System charges. The Department has received a number of stakeholder representations regarding embedded benefits, and we have made Ofgem aware of these. Proposals for changing the embedded benefits regime are currently being progressed through an open industry process, and it is likely that Ofgem will undertake a further consultation and impact assessment in early 2017, but will make a decision on approach when they receive the final modification report. We will engage with Ofgem as part of its assessment process to ensure that Government policy interests are taken into account, including aspects such as the potential effect of reducing the level of embedded benefits on the renewable energy sector, electricity storage, household and business electricity costs (including industrial manufacturing), and security of supply.
The Department last published estimates of the efficiency of different technologies in 2013 [1]. As the design of many of these technologies is rapidly changing, we expect to publish an update of the evidence in due course.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-generation-cost-projections
The prequalification results for the 2016 four-year ahead Capacity Market auction have been published on the Electricity Market Reform Delivery Body’s website[1]. Around a quarter of the pre-qualified capacity is new-build, and nearly half of this is from combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs). Approximately 6.1GW of reciprocating engines (existing and new) have also prequalified.
The competitive nature of the auction means it is difficult to predict accurately the specific technologies and projects that will win agreements. CCGTs and gas reciprocating engines differ with respect to their cost and revenue profiles, with both technologies able to play a valuable role in the electricity market – CCGTs are highly efficient at providing baseload generation, whereas gas reciprocating engines are highly flexible and useful for helping balance the electricity system. Both will also compete against new interconnection, storage and demand-side response bids.
My department has been working – as have Ofgem and Defra – to address potential distortions in the wider market and so ensure all projects compete on a level playing field.
A mix of new build technologies, in addition to existing capacity, could win, with competition bearing down on the auction cost to deliver value for money for the consumer.
[1] https://www.emrdeliverybody.com/CM/prequalification.aspx
Approximately 6.1GW of reciprocating engines have prequalified for the 2016 four-year ahead Capacity Market auction.
Reciprocating engines emit less carbon per unit of generation than coal-fired power stations. They can also emit less carbon than larger gas-fired generation plants under certain conditions [1].
[1] National Physical Laboratory (2015): Carbon savings of demand side response of a UK energy
Around 0.7GW and 0.9GW of reciprocating engines won 15-year agreements in the four-year ahead Capacity Market auctions in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
The prequalification results for the 2016 four-year ahead Capacity Market auction have been published on the Electricity Market Reform Delivery Body’s website[1]. Around a quarter of the pre-qualified capacity is new-build, and nearly half of this is from combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs). Approximately 6.1GW of reciprocating engines (existing and new) have also prequalified.
The competitive nature of the auction means it is difficult to predict accurately the specific technologies and projects that will win agreements. CCGTs and gas reciprocating engines differ with respect to their cost and revenue profiles, with both technologies able to play a valuable role in the electricity market – CCGTs are highly efficient at providing baseload generation, whereas gas reciprocating engines are highly flexible and useful for helping balance the electricity system. Both will also compete against new interconnection, storage and demand-side response bids.
My department has been working – as have Ofgem and Defra – to address potential distortions in the wider market and so ensure all projects compete on a level playing field.
A mix of new build technologies, in addition to existing capacity, could win, with competition bearing down on the auction cost to deliver value for money for the consumer.
[1] https://www.emrdeliverybody.com/CM/prequalification.aspx
During the current Foundation Stage of the roll-out of smart metering, energy suppliers are installing smart meters using their own communications systems, which typically use mobile phone network services. The Government does not hold information on the adequacy of the coverage of these communications systems.
For the main installation stage beginning later this year, the Data and Communications Company (DCC) is putting in place a shared communications network across GB to send and receive information from smart meters to energy suppliers, energy network operators and energy service companies via a Wide Area Network (WAN) using both cellular and long range radio technologies.
The DCC has contracted services to provide coverage of at least 99.25% of GB premises by the end of 2020 and has already achieved coverage of more than 80% of GB premises.
Increasing the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 25 and over to £17.50 in 2020 would represent an increase of 143% on the current NLW (£7.20) and of 94% on the current forecasted NLW of £9.00 by 2020.
Based on an underlying assumption that the wage distribution from April 2015 grows in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) average earnings forecast made in March 2016, we estimate that in 2020, a NLW of £17.50 would be equivalent to around 116% of the projected median wage. Around 15 million employees would be covered by such an NLW, and labour costs would be around £150 billion higher in 2020 compared to a counterfactual of forecast average earnings growth (in nominal terms) due to the direct effects of the NLW. This is equivalent to an increase in total compensation of employees of almost 15%.
We also estimate that there would be somewhere close to 1.75 million job losses and somewhere between 65,000 and 119,000 business deaths. There would also most likely be a substantial reduction in hours worked, increased labour costs and increased prices, and obvious disincentives to starting new businesses.
This assessment is based on BIS analysis of provisional data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015 and is subject to significant uncertainty given that a National Living Wage of £17.50 is considerably higher than any previous NMW increase or any minimum wage internationally. Our cost estimates do not include estimates of any ripple effects higher up the wage distribution if employers were to restore wage differentials above the NLW.
In February we allocated £1 million from the Government’s Global Challenges Research Fund to help urgently tackle the Zika virus; the Medical Research Council (MRC) received over 100 applications for support through its Rapid Response Initiative. To meet this demand, in March we committed up to an additional £2 million, with a further £1 million from the Wellcome Trust, bringing the total that was available up to a maximum of £4 million of funding.
Today, the MRC has announced that it has allocated c. £3.2 million of this funding to tackle the emerging and unknown threats of this virus. Our commitment to protect the science budget in real terms to the end of the Parliament means we can react quickly to help tackle these life-threatening global challenges.
Further to the answer given on 28 December to question UIN 19725, the Department, or any authority investigating, would take into account all the relevant circumstances and the applicability of relevant legislation, before deciding whether to pursue a case.
1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all James Heappey's Defra questions)Section 2(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 provides for a right of access on foot for the purposes of open-air recreation to land which has been mapped as open country (mountain, moor, heath and down) and registered common land.
The Government has no plans to extend the definition of mapped land under that Act to apply to caves.
I am committed to an inclusive Voluntary National Review that showcases activity across the UK. Almost 200 organisations and individuals have submitted case studies highlighting activity to support delivery of the Goals. We continue to welcome contributions which can be submitted via our gov.uk VNR website.
Since 2009, the Department for International Development has supported no fishing industry related projects in Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. In 2016 the UK spent £5.75 million of bilateral aid the Pacific region. The UK publishes all the statistics on UK aid spend from 2009 – 2016 (Statistics on International Development, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-2017).
The government’s aspiration is to invest 2.5% of GDP on defence, when the fiscal and economic circumstances allow. The Prime Minister has been clear that the target and path towards 2.5% will be set out at the next Spending Review.
The government has consistently prioritised defence spending. The Ministry of Defence was the first department to get certainty on its budgets in this Parliament. This settlement was the largest sustained spending increase in defence since the end of the Cold War, with a £24 billion uplift in cash terms over the four-year period. In March 2023, we also provided an extra £11 billion for defence and national security priorities over the next five years, with £4.95 billion over the next two years.
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government is committed to supporting businesses.
To support investment and drive productivity, the corporation tax rate will be reduced to 19% in 2017 and 18% in 2020. This will give the UK the lowest rate of corporation tax in the G20 and will save businesses a total of £6.6 billion by 2021.
The permanent level of the Annual Investment Allowance will be increased from £25,000 to £200,000, its highest-ever permanent level.
In addition, over one million employers have benefitted from the Employment Allowance which was introduced in April 2014. It allows businesses and charities throughout the UK to deduct up to £2000 off their employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) bill each year, rising to £3000 from April next year.
The Department will continue to explore a variety of options to augment the capabilities of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers in future. Decisions on funding will be taken at the appropriate time within the Defence annual budget cycle.
The Department will continue to explore a variety of options to augment the capabilities of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers in future. Decisions on funding will be taken at the appropriate time within the Defence annual budget cycle.
The Department will continue to explore a variety of options to augment the capabilities of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers in future. Decisions on funding will be taken at the appropriate time within the Defence annual budget cycle.
The Department is currently developing plans for Maritime Intra Theatre Lift (MITL) based upon in-service helicopters. The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2020 process will consider the Defence requirement for a medium-to-long term MITL solution.
The supply chain solution for the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers will vary according to the nature of the demand. The Department is currently developing plans for Maritime Intra Theatre Lift (MITL) based upon in-service helicopters.