Oral Answers to Questions

Karl Turner Excerpts

Thursday 28th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

9. If he will set a target to decarbonise the power sector by 2030. [R]

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

11. If he will set a target to decarbonise the power sector by 2030.

[The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Edward Davey)]

I agree that there should be a power sector decarbonisation target for 2030. That is why the Government are legislating so that a decarbonisation target range can be set in 2016, once the fifth carbon budget has been set. When that target has been set, we believe it will be the world’s first such legally binding decarbonisation target.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davey]

The hon. Lady should not talk down the sector or her own area. She ought to know, because we have debated the matter at the Dispatch Box, that £31 billion has been invested in renewable electricity since 2010. We have doubled the amount of renewable electricity generation since we came to power.

[Karl Turner]

Does the Secretary of State agree that setting a decarbonisation target for 2030 would greatly assist the much needed investment in Hull by Siemens? Or does he agree with the Prime Minister that this is all just “green crap”?

[Mr Davey]

The whole Government, working with colleagues like the hon. Gentleman, are doing our very best to ensure that we get that supply chain investment in the UK for our green sector. He knows that we are working with him and other hon. Members from Hull to do just that.