Jim Shannon
Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford
5,131 (13.2%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 6th May 2010
5 APPG memberships (as of 2 Jan 2025)
Healthy Homes and Buildings, International Freedom of Religion or Belief, Respiratory Health, UK Food Security, Vascular and Venous Disease92 Former APPG memberships
Access to Medicines and Medical Devices, Adult Social Care, Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Air Passenger Duty Reform, Alevis, Antibiotics, Autism, Bahá'í Faith, Bangladesh, Beer, Blood Cancer, Brain Tumours, Cancer, Carbon Monoxide, Carers, Cerebral Palsy, Children who need Palliative Care, Children, Teenagers, and Young Adults with Cancer, Christianity in the Holy Land, Cleaning and Hygiene, Cleaning and Hygiene Industry, Coastal Communities, Coeliac Disease, Communities Engagement, Connaught Income Fund, Counter-Extremism, Cystic Fibrosis, Dairy, Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf, Diabetes, Diagnostics, Disability, Eggs, Pigs and Poultry, Endangered Species, Energy Studies, Equipment for Disabled Children, Equitable Life, Equitable Life Policyholders, Eye Health and Visual Impairment, Fairtrade, Farming, Fatherhood, Financial Crime and Scamming, Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, Gambling Related Harm, Hairdressing, Barbering and Cosmetology, Hazaras, Health in all Policies, Heart Valve Disease, Hong Kong, Infant Feeding and Inequalities, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Disease and Liver Cancer, Loneliness, Lyme Disease, Malawi, Marine Energy, Markets, Media Freedom, Medical Cannabis under Prescription, Medicines and Medical Devices, Meningitis, Mentoring, Micronutrients and Health, Muscular Dystrophy, Mutuals, National Trust, Obesity, Pakistan Minorities, Pakistani Minorities, Pancreatic Cancer, Pigeon Racing, Premature and Sick Babies, Pro-Life, Professional Sales, Relationships, Religion or Belief, Reserves and Cadets, Rural Crime, Shooting and Conservation, Sleep, Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention, Terminal Illness, Tibet, Union, Universal Credit, Unpaid Work Trials, Veterans, Visitors' Economy, Vulnerable Groups to Pandemics, Wood Panel Industry, Yazidi PeopleDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
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
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(33 debate interactions)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(23 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(90 debate contributions)
(57 debate contributions)
(51 debate contributions)
(45 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(3,277 words contributed)
(1,693 words contributed)
(1,391 words contributed)
(1,230 words contributed)
Strangford Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 16,259 signatures (0.77%)
of 147,975 signatures (0.20%)
of 155,151 signatures (0.12%)
of 210,655 signatures (0.11%)
of 147,975 signatures (0.20%)
of 210,655 signatures (0.11%)
of 155,151 signatures (0.12%)
of 16,259 signatures (0.77%)
Latest EDMs signed by Jim Shannon
Nuneaton and North Warwickshire tractor run
Tabled by: Jodie Gosling (Labour - Nuneaton)That this House congratulates Sheepy Ploughing and Hedgecutting Association for their outstanding achievement in raising over £14,000 for charity through their Christmas tractor run; thanks them for their tireless efforts brightening our dark December nights; and applauds the valuable work they do in campaigning for health and wellbeing and bringing …
(Most recent: 3 Feb 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Women's health hubs
Tabled by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)That this House notes with deep concern the Government’s decision to reduce women’s health targets in NHS guidance, including the removal of the commitment to roll out women’s health hubs across all integrated care boards; recognises that these hubs provide vital services, including faster diagnosis for conditions such as endometriosis …
(Most recent: 3 Feb 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 14
Independent: 2
Green Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Jim Shannon, 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.
1 Urgent Question tabled by Jim Shannon
1 Adjournment Debate led by Jim Shannon
6 Bills introduced by Jim Shannon
A Bill to require the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sporting facilities, schools, higher education and other education and skills facilities, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people; and to make associated provision about training and signage.
Friday 24th March 2023
A Bill to require the continued appointment of a special envoy for freedom of religion or belief and make provision about the special envoy’s functions.
Monday 21st October 2024
Friday 28th March 2025
Order Paper number: 9
(Unlikely to be Debated - would require unanimous consent to progress)
A Bill to require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to report to Parliament on the likely effects of increasing in line with inflation the income threshold for the High Income Child Benefit Charge and of determining that threshold by reference to household income instead of individual income.
A Bill to require the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sporting facilities, schools, higher education and other education and skills facilities, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people; and to make associated provision about training and signage.
Monday 21st June 2021
A Bill to require the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sporting facilities, schools, higher education and other education and skills facilities, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people; and to make associated provision about training and signage.
A Bill to require the provision of audio announcements on public buses; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 3rd December 2014
95 Bills co-sponsored by Jim Shannon
Pavement Parking Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Marsha De Cordova (Lab)
Elections (Accessibility for Blind Voters) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Julie Minns (Lab)
Treatment of Terminal Illness Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Siobhain McDonagh (Lab)
Office of the Whistleblower Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Gareth Snell (LAB)
Roadworks (Regulation) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Mark Francois (Con)
Microplastic filters (washing machines) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Alberto Costa (Con)
Road Traffic (Testing of Blood) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)
Neurodivergent Conditions (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Matt Hancock (Con)
Heritage Public Houses Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Marco Longhi (Con)
Autism (Early Identification) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Duncan Baker (Con)
State Pension Age (Compensation) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)
Universal Jurisdiction (Extension) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Brendan O'Hara (SNP)
Teenagers (Safety and Wellbeing) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Alex Norris (LAB)
Sun Protection Products (Value Added Tax) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Amy Callaghan (SNP)
Spiking Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Richard Graham (Con)
Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Darren Henry (Con)
Sale of Tobacco (Licensing) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Bob Blackman (Con)
National Minimum Wage Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Paula Barker (Lab)
National Eye Health Strategy Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Marsha De Cordova (Lab)
Markets and market traders (review of support) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Simon Baynes (Con)
Immigration and Nationality Fees (Exemption for NHS Clinical Staff) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Rob Roberts (Ind)
First-Aid (Mental Health) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Dean Russell (Con)
Employment Equality (Insurance etc) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Natalie Elphicke (Lab)
Employment Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Steven Bonnar (SNP)
Employee Share Ownership (Reform) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - George Howarth (Lab)
Electricity Supply (Vulnerable Customers) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Sam Tarry (Lab)
Criminal Appeal (Amendment) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Barry Sheerman (LAB)
Consumer Telephone Service Standards Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Robert Halfon (Con)
Bus Services (Consultation) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Dean Russell (Con)
Aviation Banning Orders (Disruptive Passengers) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Gareth Johnson (Con)
Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - George Eustice (Con)
Supply of Drugs to Children Under 16 (Aggravated Offence) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Kevin Hollinrake (Con)
Pets (Microchips) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - James Daly (Con)
Flexible Working Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tulip Siddiq (Lab)
Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Seals (Protection) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tracey Crouch (Con)
Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Fleur Anderson (Lab)
Import of Products of Forced Labour from Xinjiang (Prohibition) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Brendan O'Hara (SNP)
Digitally Altered Body Images Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Luke Evans (Con)
Digital Devices (Access for Next of Kin) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Ian Paisley (DUP)
Co-operatives (Employee Company Ownership) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Christina Rees (LAB)
Community Wealth Fund Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Paul Howell (Con)
Consumer Protection (Double Charging) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Huw Merriman (Con)
Bereavement Leave and Pay (Stillborn and Miscarried Babies) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Sarah Owen (Lab)
Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Patricia Gibson (SNP)
Transport (Disabled Passenger Charter) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Charlotte Nichols (Lab)
Electric Vehicle Charging Points (New Buildings) (No. 2) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Felicity Buchan (Con)
Tree-lined Streets Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Chris Clarkson (Con)
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Sexual Offences (Sports Coaches) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tracey Crouch (Con)
Education Employment (Accompaniment to Hearings) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Brendan Clarke-Smith (Con)
Desecration of War Memorials Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)
Conveyancing Standards Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Marco Longhi (Con)
Pets (Microchips) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - James Daly (Con)
Ministerial Interests (Emergency Powers) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Owen Thompson (SNP)
New Homes (New Development Standards) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Con)
Jet Skis (Licensing) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)
Digitally Altered Body Images Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Luke Evans (Con)
Hong Kong Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)
Clean Air (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Philp (Con)
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Parental Leave (Premature and Sick Babies) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - David Linden (SNP)
Police Officer Training (Autism Awareness) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ann Clwyd (Lab)
Gambling (Industry Levy Review and Protections for Vulnerable People) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Richard Graham (Con)
Parental Rights (Rapists) and Family Courts Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Louise Haigh (Lab)
Compensation Orders (Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Andrew Griffiths (Con)
Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019
Sponsor - Geoffrey Robinson (Lab)
Access to Fertility Services Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Steve McCabe (Lab)
Hospital (Parking Charges and Business Rates) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Voter Registration (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Armed Forces (Derogation from European Convention on Human Rights) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Leo Docherty (Con)
Election Expenses (Authorisation of Free or Discounted Support) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Con)
Multi-employer Pension Schemes Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)
British Indian Ocean Territory (Citizenship) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Henry Smith (Con)
Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Act 2018
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Food Insecurity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab)
Immigration Detention of Victims of Torture and Other Vulnerable People (Safeguards) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Joan Ryan (TIG)
Gypsy and Traveller Communities (Housing, Planning and Education) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Andrew Selous (Con)
Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018
Sponsor - Steve Reed (LAB)
Public Sector Supply Chains (Project Bank Accounts) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Debbie Abrahams (Lab)
Wild Animals in Circuses Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Trudy Harrison (Con)
Pets (Theft) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ross Thomson (Con)
Armed Forces (Statute of Limitations) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Benyon (XB)
Terminal Illness (Provision of Palliative Care and Support for Carers) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Bambos Charalambous (Lab)
Child Maintenance Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Marion Fellows (SNP)
Cold Weather Payments Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)
DiGeorge Syndrome (Review and National Health Service Duty) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - David Duguid (Con)
Refugees (Family Reunion) (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Angus Brendan MacNeil (Ind)
Courts (Abuse of Process) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Liz Saville Roberts (PC)
Crime (Assaults on Emergency Services Staff) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (Lab)
Feeding Products for Babies and Children (Advertising and Promotion) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Alison Thewliss (SNP)
Statutory Nuisance (Aircraft Noise) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Tania Mathias (Con)
Representation of the People (Voter Proof of Identity) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Chris Green (Con)
Organ Donors (Leave) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Louise Haigh (Lab)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)6 Other Department Questions
Equalities Ministers have regular discussions with their colleagues across Government about tackling online harassment as part of the Government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. These include the Safer Streets Mission Board and Violence Against Women and Girls Ministerial meetings.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is fully committed to the Equality Act 2010 (the Act), which protects disabled people from discrimination in the workplace. The Act prohibits direct and indirect disability discrimination and requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and jobseekers to ensure that they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled colleagues. This could include improving access to premises for wheelchair users, through installing ramps or other auxiliary aids or services.
The failure of an employer to make reasonable adjustments could amount to direct disability discrimination. However, the Act also recognises the need to strike a balance between the needs of disabled employees and the circumstances of their employers. What is ‘reasonable’ will therefore depend on the circumstances of each case.
Strong legal remedies are available to employees and applicants who feel that they have experienced disability discrimination by an employer. Guidance and codes of practice have been published by The Equality and Human Rights Commission and Acas, to help employers follow the law and employees and applicants understand their rights.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Church of England churches run or support 35,000 social action projects, including 60% of churches supporting 8,000 food banks with volunteers, donations, venues, or a combination of these. 12,000 churches are involved in the Trussell food bank network overall.
In July 2024, the General Synod voted by 274-1 in favour of a motion that noted the contribution to social welfare being made by churches and others in the provision of food banks, and with concern about the levels of dependence on food banks, called on His Majesty’s Government to review the adequacy of current social security provision. The debate highlighted specific examples from churches across the country in meeting the need for food and other essential goods.
This government is clear that no one should be disadvantaged because of their religion or belief. The Equality Act 2010 provides protection from discrimination to anyone with a religious or philosophical belief, as well as to those who lack a religion or belief.
The Minister for Women and Equalities will continue to work with the Minister for Faith in MHCLG to ensure that people of faith are not discriminated against, in line with the Act.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are committed to strengthening equal pay and ending pay discrimination. The plan to ‘Make Work Pay’ will transform the lives of working women, including by strengthening rights to equal pay and providing protections from maternity and menopause discrimination and sexual harassment.
With regard to STEM opportunities, we will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in STEM through our technical education offer with a range of high quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities at all levels. We have also looked specifically at support for those returning to the sector after a break for caring, and will feed this learning into wider work on breaking down barriers for women in the workplace.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This Government is committed to tackling stalking as part of our ambitious mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
Since 2017, there have been yearly increases in the number of stalking offences charged which proceeded to a first hearing in the magistrates’ courts. In 2018/19, there were 2,208 such cases, and in 2023/24, they more than doubled to 5,859. However, more can be done.
In April 2023, the CPS amended prosecutorial guidance on stalking which has assisted prosecutors to better select the appropriate charge.
Earlier this month and in partnership with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, I welcomed the CPS’ Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan, which aims to improve the way that cases are prosecuted and handled. Stalking features prominently in the plan, which applies to all forms of stalking, and is captured within high-harm, high-risk repeat offending.
The Government has also delivered on a manifesto commitment to launch an Independent Review of Sentencing, chaired by former Lord Chancellor David Gauke, to bring sentencing up to date and ensure the framework is consistent and clear to victims and the public.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Cabinet Office works with Departments across Government, and the National Cyber Security Centre, to assess and tackle cross-cutting risks to the UK’s critical infrastructure.
The cyber threat is dynamic and grows more complex each year, with implications for our Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). It is an issue this Government takes incredibly seriously, and we are committed to working closely with CNI operators to ensure resilience and preparedness to all threats, including cyber. This means understanding and managing cyber risk, and minimising the impact of cyber incidents when they occur.
For the health sector, in an increasingly digitised system, cyber-attacks are a direct threat to patient safety and people in care, as well as to public confidence. The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are delivering an ambitious Cyber Improvement Programme that addresses the changing cyber risk landscape, expands protection and services and reduces the risk of a successful attack.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The uptake of apprenticeships within the Civil Service (in England) fell under the previous administration from 7,007 starts in 2022/23 to 6,508 starts in 2023/24.
This Government is committed to apprenticeships as a means of removing barriers to opportunities and building the skills needed for the future workforce.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The UK is facing an ever-changing and growing set of risks. All risks in the government's National Risk Register (NRR) are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform emergency preparedness and resilience activity.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I refer the honourable member to my answer from 2 September, (2302) and would add that the UK Government does not comment upon operational security matters.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
It is important that the new procurement regime commences with a statutory National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) aligned to the Government’s strategic priorities. The new NPPS will set out a mission-led procurement regime which meets the challenge of applying the full potential of public procurement to deliver value for money, economic growth and social value. The NPPS will be informed by stakeholder engagement taking place over the coming months.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government is committed to ensuring that employed parents receive the best possible support to balance their work and family responsibilities.
The Employment Rights Bill will increase the flexibility of Paternity Leave. This Bill will make Paternity Leave available from ‘day one’ in a new job and enable it to be taken after Shared Parental Leave.
We will also review the parental leave system to ensure that it supports working families. Planning work is already underway across Government, including with the Department of Work and Pensions.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We know from reviews of the existing legislative framework as well as the impact assessment of the measures in the Employment Rights Bill that there is clear demand for adequate flexible working arrangements from parents, as there is with other groups in the workforce. Flexible working can help parents manage their childcare responsibilities and reduce the cost of childcare.
Through Make Work Pay the Government committed to making flexible working the default except where not reasonably feasible, making it more likely that requests are accepted. Clauses contained in the Employment Rights Bill will achieve this aim.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to delivering a regulatory system that addresses market failures, creates economic certainty, and drives innovation to stimulate growth while protecting consumers and businesses. As part of this, HMG regularly makes comparative assessments of the UK's regulatory system and those of international comparators.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Attracting investment is one of the key pillars to the Government’s growth mission and is vital to helping address the challenge of achieving sustained growth, improving productivity and increasing the number of good, well-skilled jobs across the country. At the International Investment Summit, we secured £63bn worth of investments across the whole of the UK, creating nearly 38,000 jobs. On top of this we have launched Invest 2035, our vision for a modern Industrial Strategy “Invest 2035”: a credible, 10-year plan to deliver the certainty and stability businesses need to invest.
As an example of the many steps we are taking to encourage investment, we have today (12th November) launched the Clean Industries Bonus which will encourage investment in renewable energy projects.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government supports the Doha Declaration on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Public Health and, within that, a country’s right to use compulsory licensing, where necessary and appropriate, to achieve public health policy objectives in the case of national health emergencies. We are aware of the potential impact such initiatives may have on access to medicines, market dynamics, and innovation. We are closely following the process undertaken by Colombia and are in regular dialogue with them on this and other regulatory matters.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
For SMEs that pay interest at a variable rate, or those contemplating new borrowing, lower interest rates are clearly beneficial.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government introduced the Employment Rights Bill in the House on 10 October 2024.
The Bill will make basic protection against unfair dismissal a day one right for all employees, ending the current arbitrary system that leaves employees waiting up to two years to access this right.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This government wants to drive manufacturing growth. Manufacturing makes an important contribution to private capital, R&D, and exports, which leads to higher productivity, more investment and more jobs.
Building on existing support to industry, government will introduce a new Industrial Strategy to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth - through securing investment into crucial sectors of the economy.
As announced in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper published on 14 October, advanced manufacturing has been selected as one of eight growth-driving sectors. The Strategy will also look at support for subsectors which provide critical inputs and infrastructure to these sectors.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This year, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has already supported UK maritime firms at Asia Pacific Maritime (Singapore), Posidonia (Athens), and SMM (Hamburg). Other upcoming events include METSTRADE, which will be taking place in Amsterdam this November, as well as Sea Asia in March. UK businesses can access DBT’s export services via Great.gov.uk, including the UK Export Academy, International Trade Advisers, Help to Grow, and the Export Support Service.
DBT will continue to review its offer to ensure businesses have the support they need to export and grow.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to delivering its Plan to Make Work Pay in full. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.
The scope of the Bill is still to be determined and engagement continues with stakeholders with an interest in this legislation. This includes all Devolved Governments including the Northern Ireland Executive. The Plan is a core part of the Government’s mission to grow the economy and raise living standards across the country.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My department is working in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland through DBT’s Trade and Investment hub in Belfast and its wider global network to showcase NI as a location for investment.
We are focused on driving investment into all parts of the UK, including through our forthcoming International Investment Summit in October 2024.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DBT Ministers have engaged with the Northern Ireland Executive since assuming office, including productive meetings and correspondence at SoS and Minister of State level as well as detailed and ongoing official level dialogue regarding the interests of Northern Ireland Executive and businesses in Northern Ireland in the UK Government growth agenda.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets. Our plans include tackling retail crime, ensuring a level playing field between online and high street businesses, stamping out late payments and ending the blight of empty spaces. This work will ensure that our high streets are great places for our businesses, supporting economic growth across the UK.
The British Business Bank supports SMEs to grow by improving their access to finance. The Growth Guarantee Scheme offers a 70% government guarantee on loans to SMEs of up to £2 million in Great Britain, and £1 million in Northern Ireland and is available until the end of March 2026.
The industry-led Retail Sector Council has identified High Street Regeneration and Investment as one if its key area of work and has been considering a sector vision for the high street.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Secretary of State and I have met with Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services, and the EP Group to discuss the proposed takeover of IDS.
The universal service obligation is a legally binding commitment on the designated universal service provider and its ongoing provision would be required irrespective of ownership of the business.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Under terms agreed between Airbus and Spirit, Airbus will acquire the elements of Spirit’s Belfast site responsible for the A220 airliner. This includes the wing and mid-fuselage sections. The Government is working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure the best outcome for Short Brothers and all its incredibly skilled, hard working, staff. My Department is in touch with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing and other potential buyers. We have a keen interest in seeing that any acquisition includes a commitment to develop Short Brothers and its supply chain, and to provide the best possible opportunity for growth in Northern Ireland.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK and meets our legal and regulatory requirements. We work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and back UK businesses. The government has also established Great British Energy to drive forward greater investment in clean, home-grown energy production and to build supply chains across the UK. Great British Energy will work with DESNZ, The Crown Estate and the National Wealth Fund to support domestic clean energy supply chains.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills. Consumers can use the Government advice site (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency) to get tailored recommendations for home improvements to increase energy efficiency. There is also existing Ecodesign regulations which sets the minimum energy performance standards for lighting products.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government believes the only way to protect consumers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy. The creation of Great British Energy will help us harness clean energy and have less reliance on foreign volatile energy markets which affect the energy price cap.
We continue to monitor energy prices and the price cap and are working to ensure bills are affordable for consumers in the long-term, including through our work with Ofgem to reform standing charges, and through our Warm Homes Plan which will transform homes across the country by making them cheaper and cleaner to run.
In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides an annual £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households, and through our collaboration with Energy UK on the Winter 2024 Commitment, which promises £500 million of industry support to billpayers this winter.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the important role community energy projects play in many different areas, including tackling climate change and providing local employment opportunities.
Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will provide funding and support to community energy groups to roll out renewable energy projects and develop up to 8 GW of cleaner power. It will increase capacity and capability to build a pipeline of successful projects in local areas and aims to expand community energy projects by helping to crowd-in investment, creating skilled jobs and changing communities for the better.
Great British Energy will benefit all four nations of our United Kingdom whilst respecting the devolution settlements.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ officials meet regularly with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss matters relating to renewables, including solar. Solar energy is at the heart of our Clean Energy mission and solar farms, alongside rooftop installations, will play an important part in helping to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030. Government is keen to lead by example in decarbonising its estate and as set out in the Clean Power Action plan, published in December 2024, Great British Energy will also promote renewables on public estates, unlocking additional scope for generation capacity on government-owned land. Great British Energy will seek to work with government landowners who will host generation assets and provide power directly to public buildings, in addition to connecting into the grid.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The department only collects data on installations under Government Energy Efficiency schemes and does not hold data on privately installed heating systems. The latest heat pump deployment figures can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/heat-pump-deployment-statistics-september-2024.
Measures installed under the ECO scheme, the Home Upgrade Grant and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund can be found here:
Gas boilers will continue to play a role for at least the next decade as we transition to low carbon heating technologies, where departmental analysis shows that heat pumps and heat networks will have a major role to play.
Where heat pumps may not be feasible in some off-grid properties we have commissioned a package of research to collect data on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes, including the use of alternative low carbon heating solutions with results expected in 2025.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
At the end of 2023 there were (a) 9,627 onshore and (b) 48 offshore wind sites in the UK.
Source: Regional Renewable Statistics
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s Warm Homes Plan will support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. We will set out full details in due course.
Targeted schemes currently in place to deliver energy efficiency measures to low income and fuel poor households include the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme. The Boiler Upgrade scheme offers grant support to consumers wishing to replace their fossil fuel heating system.
We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, with delivery expected in 2025. Support will be targeted at low-income homeowners, social housing and private tenants in England with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department understands that more needs to be done to improve awareness and promote opportunities for young people in the clean energy sector, as these jobs can offer secure, well-paid careers. We are working closely with the Department for Education, Skills England, as well as industry and Trade Unions, to explore what can be done to improve this to encourage the uptake of skills and training provisions on offer for young people.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK has committed to the fastest reduction in GHG emissions between 1990 and 2030 of any major economy. Between 1990 and 2022, UK methane emissions dropped by 62%. As part of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission, we are leading the way towards rapid national and global action to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, and are taking domestic action across the waste, agriculture and energy sectors.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Energy policy is a transferred matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. DESNZ holds regular discussions with NI Executive on broader energy matters, including through our Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-ministerial Group, which last met on 17th October.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Energy Price Cap is set by Ofgem and there are different costs included in the price cap, such as the wholesale cost of energy. Any changes to these costs will affect how much the price cap will be each time it is reviewed.
As such, the Government believes the only way to protect consumers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy and reduce our reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are committed to engaging with all Devolved Governments on our ambitious energy security and net zero plans going forward, while respecting the devolution settlements.
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Energy policy is devolved to Northern Ireland but our ambition for onshore wind covers the UK and Northern Ireland will hopefully be a major contributor, already hosting a tenth of UK onshore wind capacity.
More widely, collaboration between the UK Government and Devolved Governments is essential to accelerate Net Zero and deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The Government is working closely with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help work towards delivery of our respective climate targets and carbon budgets and Ministers from this department and the Devolved Governments met recently in Edinburgh to discuss this.
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Collaboration between the UK Government and Devolved Governments is essential to accelerate Net Zero and deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The Government is working closely with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help work towards delivery of our respective climate targets and carbon budgets.
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Solar power is at the heart of our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. The funding of solar panels is typically levied on billpayers rather than through direct taxation. Mechanisms have included the Feed-in tariff, Renewables Obligation and annual Contracts for Difference Allocation Rounds. Given the complex financial environment we are unable to provide an estimate as to how many businesses benefit from Government funding.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. It will be focused on making it economically worthwhile for people to transition to clean sources of heating, including for those living in properties off the gas-grid.
We will announce further policy detail of the Warm Homes Plan in due course. Currently, alongside consumer advice sites, the Home Upgrade Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme are in place to support those not connected to the gas grid to decarbonise.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government believes that renewable liquid fuels could play a limited role in heating. As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, we expect to prioritise the use of renewable liquid fuels in sectors like aviation, and potentially homes that are not readily suitable for heat pumps, as these offer the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions and have fewest options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is taking a range of steps to make heat pumps more affordable and remove barriers to their installation. This includes providing grants of £7,500 under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), supporting innovation and reviewing permitted development rights.
For the small number of homes where a heat pump is not suitable, we expect other technologies to play a role in the transition to clean heat. We continue to build the evidence base on alternative technologies and this research will inform future policy development.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Communities should benefit from hosting local renewable energy infrastructure and the Government will shortly publish updated community benefits guidance for onshore wind in England. The devolved administrations have their own policies regarding community benefits.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)