Oral Answers to Questions

Laurence Robertson Excerpts

Tuesday 4th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

The hon. Gentleman is right, both to enthuse about the importance of smart metering and the benefits it can bring—even more so as we move forward in the coming years—and to highlight the importance of ensuring, as ever, that something so important is equitably distributed. I, or colleagues, would be happy to meet him to discuss how we make sure that the issues he has rightly raised are addressed.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking to increase the use of solar panels on building roofs; and if he will make a statement.

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Grant Shapps)]

The Government are supporting the installation of rooftop solar in numerous different ways: financial incentives, performance standards and the solar taskforce.

[Mr Robertson]

For years now, I have been trying to persuade Governments of all colours to change building regulations to require all new buildings to be fitted with solar panels. That would have the benefit of securing supply, reducing household bills considerably and helping us towards net zero, so why do we not do it?

[Grant Shapps]

I assure my hon. Friend that I am a great enthusiast for solar panels—I have had them on my home for the past 12 years, and they perform very well. I want to see more people do that. In fact, over that period, we have gone from virtually no renewables in our system—6.9%—to 43% in the last quarter. I am very keen for that expansion to go further and faster. We need to ensure that it is part of the building code, but we also want to make sure that other forms of renewables can be installed, so it is a balance between not being too prescriptive and making sure that we make speedy progress, particularly on all the commercial rooftops in this country.