Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Blomfield and Amber Rudd

Thursday 22nd February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Paul Blomfield]

I thank the Minister for her answer. She will know that the Sheffield Female Political Association, founded in February 1851, was the first women’s suffrage organisation in the UK. Will she therefore join me in supporting the bid prepared by women across the voluntary, arts and education sectors to the fund? Will she wish them well in their ambition to use the centenary to encourage opportunities for civic engagement by women who feel disengaged and disempowered?

[Amber Rudd]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I am delighted to congratulate him and to welcome the women of Sheffield in their bid to the centenary fund. I hope it will do exactly as he says: encourage more women to engage in political life in general.

Onshore Wind Subsidies

Debate between Paul Blomfield and Amber Rudd

Monday 22nd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Amber Rudd]

May I, again, pay tribute and homage to my hon. Friend, who campaigned so hard and led on this issue? I know his constituents will be delighted with this outcome, although I am disappointed to hear that the impact of wind farms has made them negative about renewables in general. I hope we can win them back by our policies that will increasingly involve them. I urge individual Members who want to know what the impact is on developments in their constituency to write to me and I will try to get that information.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State said that the Government’s priority was

“to bring about the transition to low-carbon generation as cost-effectively…as possible.”

Does she not recognise that onshore wind is the most cost-effective renewable energy production form?