Oral Answers to Questions

Mohammad Yasin Excerpts

Tuesday 16th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

4. What recent discussions she has had with businesses and investors on the Government’s net zero targets.

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

12. What recent discussions she has had with businesses and investors on the Government’s net zero targets.

[The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero (Justin Tomlinson)]

As a Department, our ministerial team meet regularly with industry: for example, through the hydrogen investor forum, the Offshore Wind Industry Council, the solar taskforce, the Green Jobs Delivery Group and the cross-cutting Net Zero Council, which is shortly celebrating its first anniversary.

[Justin Tomlinson]

I proudly drive an electric vehicle myself, and I celebrated the fact that 48,388 electric vehicles were registered in March 2024 alone.

[Mohammad Yasin]

Eight in 10 of the large energy companies recently surveyed by the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association agreed that the UK is falling behind in the race to become the most investable market for low-carbon technologies. What steps will the Minister take to reassure the clean energy industry that the UK is serious about the transition to net zero, which must include moving away from a commitment to max out oil and gas production?

[Justin Tomlinson]

I very much welcome the hon. Member’s highlighting the importance of this area. I am sure that he will join me in celebrating the fact that we secured £60 billion of investment in low-carbon technology in 2023, up a staggering 71% on the previous year. We are heading in the right direction to meet our ambitious target.

Oral Answers to Questions

Mohammad Yasin Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)]

12. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help create jobs in green industries.

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

19. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help create jobs in green industries.

[Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)]

22. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help create jobs in green industries.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mohammad Yasin]

I recently had a meeting with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, which is on track to certify a zero-emissions aircraft for passenger flight in 2026. The company is growing and has an ambition to reintroduce whole aircraft manufacturing to the UK, bringing in new jobs. The ATI—Aerospace Technology Institute—investment programme has been important in getting to this point, but, as they go beyond research and development, what more will the Government do to support ambitious companies such as Cranfield Aerospace and Hybrid Air Vehicles to manufacture the technology they have developed in Bedfordshire?

[Graham Stuart]

There are huge opportunities for our world-leading aerospace sector in the move towards sustainable aviation fuels. The Jet Zero Council helps to lead that work. We have set mandates to help drive take-up and ensure we are a world leader.

Oral Answers to Questions

Mohammad Yasin Excerpts

Tuesday 18th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

The truth is that the rest of the world is playing catch-up. Our regulatory systems—the contracts for difference, for instance—have entirely unlocked renewables in this country. We are continuing to accelerate that, for example with the grid, which is also an issue in the United States. We take our competitive situation extremely seriously and will continue to come forward with policies to ensure that we maintain our global leadership.

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

12. What estimate his Department has made of the number of families in fuel poverty.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

13. What estimate his Department has made of the number of families in fuel poverty.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Amanda Solloway)]

In 2022, an estimated 3.26 million households were in fuel poverty in England. The Government recognise how difficult the increase in fuel bills caused by Putin’s war in Ukraine has been for households across the country. That is why the Government have stepped in to provide unprecedented energy bill support to households this winter.

[Mohammad Yasin]

Will the Minister confirm when the energy bills discount scheme will be distributed to customers such as my vulnerable 81-year-old constituent Ann? Her bills have soared by more than 400% because she receives her energy via a communal system that is not protected by the same Ofgem energy price cap that applies to individual domestic consumers. Will the Minister confirm future bespoke support for heat network customers?

[Amanda Solloway]

I reiterate that we have been giving unprecedented support to domestic and non-domestic customers throughout this incredibly difficult situation, and we are making sure that we review the situation on an ongoing basis.

Oral Answers to Questions

Mohammad Yasin Excerpts

Tuesday 28th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie]

Yes. Representing a rural constituency myself, I understand just how important fertiliser manufacturers are. The energy bill discount scheme will start on 1 April, providing eligible businesses with a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024. The list of eligible sectors has been published, and I am delighted to confirm that it will include manufacturers of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds.

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

T9.   Last summer, I attended the opening of Infarm, a vertical farm facility in Bedford, focusing on locally grown food to help us to improve our domestic food security and to reduce our carbon footprint. Within six months, the company announced that it was closing, citing energy prices, supply chains and the rising cost of materials. Given the empty shelves in our supermarkets, what action is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that businesses that are trying to ensure our food security can operate?

[Andrew Bowie]

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman has not been listening to what we have been saying for the past hour. We are determined to ensure that we move towards net zero in a sensible and measured way, leading the world as we do so while ensuring food security across the country.