Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kerry McCarthy and Claire Coutinho

Tuesday 15th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Secretary of State—and congratulations on your marriage!

[Claire Coutinho (East Surrey) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Secretary of State tried to argue yesterday that he is a climate change believer and everybody else who disagrees with him is a denier, because he does not want to engage with any legitimate criticism of his policies. He is offshoring British industries—in other words, replacing British goods with dirtier imports with higher emissions. Can the Minister confirm what the scientific evidence is that doing so will help to tackle climate change?

[Kerry McCarthy]

Perhaps if the right hon. Member had been here yesterday, she would have been able to engage with the Secretary of State on this. The science is absolutely clear: every avoided fraction of a degree of warming makes a difference to the severity of climate impacts. That is why the Prime Minister went to the global leaders summit at COP29 last year to announce a new 1.5°C-aligned nationally determined contribution, and we will continue to show international leadership.