Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Martin Vickers and Nick Hurd

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

15. What assessment he has made of the effect of the offshore energy sector on the Humber region.

[The Minister for Climate Change and Industry (Mr Nick Hurd)]

The UK is the world’s largest market for offshore wind, and the Humber energy estuary is, in my hon. Friend’s own words, “ideally positioned” to serve that sector. The Secretary of State and I saw that when we visited the new £310 million Siemens turbine blade factory, which has created more than 1,000 very valuable new jobs in the area.

[Martin Vickers]

This afternoon the Humber local enterprise partnership and Humber MPs are staging a showcase event to highlight the assets of the energy estuary. Can the Minister assure business leaders that the Government will continue to support the offshore centre, which is based in northern Lincolnshire, and the wider Humber region? Will he or one of his colleagues find time to visit the event this afternoon?

[Mr Hurd]

Yes to the event, and yes to the assurance that my hon. Friend seeks about continued support. On top of the growth deal, the city deal and the enterprise zone programme, he will be well aware of the very significant Government commitment to future contract for difference auctions worth £730 million for less mature renewable technologies, including offshore wind. I hope he welcomes that.