First elected: 7th May 2015
Left House: 3rd May 2017 (Defeated)
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These initiatives were driven by Paul Monaghan, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Paul Monaghan has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Paul Monaghan has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Paul Monaghan has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
British Victims of Terrorism (Asset-Freezing and Compensation) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Andrew Rosindell (Con)
In comparing the costs of different electricity technologies in the future, DECC typically use the levelised costs of electricity generation. Levelised costs include capital and operating costs over the lifetime of a plant, as well as DECC estimates of projected fuel and carbon costs.
The most recent levelised cost estimates are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs report, available at:
For hydro plants, DECC assumes a plant lifetime of 41 years for levelised cost purposes. This is taken from the below Arup report (section 6.8.4):
In comparing the costs of different electricity technologies in the future, DECC typically use the levelised costs of electricity generation. Levelised costs include capital and operating costs over the lifetime of a plant, as well as DECC estimates of projected fuel and carbon costs.
The most recent levelised cost estimates are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs report, available at:
These include levelised cost estimates for (a) conventional hydro-electric sources and (b) gas fired plants.
We are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of our evidence on levelised costs of electricity generation.
The above levelised costs however do not take into account all of the wider positive or negative impacts that a plant may impose on the electricity system. So far, DECC’s electricity modelling has considered these wider whole system impacts through a system wide cost-benefit analysis. DECC is currently undertaking a project, which aims to further DECC’s understanding of the whole system impacts of electricity generation technologies.
We continue to make progress towards our renewable energy target of 15% final energy consumption by 2020. Provisional figures show 6.3% of final energy consumption came from renewable sources for 2013 and 2014, against a target of 5.4%.
Progress on renewable electricity generation has been particularly strong with over a quarter of electricity generated, between April and June this year, coming from renewable sources.
The Spending Review will be announced on 25th November, and a Department for Transport consultation will be running next year on increasing the amount of renewable transport fuel. We will carefully consider the impacts of both on the UK’s progress towards the renewables target of 15%, including whether there will be a role for trading.
We continue to make progress towards our renewable energy target of 15% final energy consumption by 2020. Provisional figures show 6.3% of final energy consumption came from renewable sources for 2013 and 2014, against a target of 5.4%.
Progress on renewable electricity generation has been particularly strong with over a quarter of electricity generated, between April and June this year, coming from renewable sources.
The Spending Review will be announced on 25th November, and a Department for Transport consultation will be running next year on increasing the amount of renewable transport fuel. We will carefully consider the impacts of both on the UK’s progress towards the renewables target of 15%, including whether there will be a role for trading.
In comparing the costs of different electricity technologies in the future, DECC typically use the levelised costs of electricity generation. Levelised costs include capital and operating costs over the lifetime of a plant, as well as DECC estimates of projected fuel and carbon costs.
The most recent levelised cost estimates are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) report, available at:
These include levelised cost estimates for (a) conventional hydro-electric sources and (b) gas fired plants.
We are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of our evidence on levelised costs of electricity generation.
The above levelised costs however do not take into account all of the wider positive or negative impacts that a plant may impose on the electricity system. So far, DECC’s electricity modelling has considered these wider whole system impacts through a system wide cost-benefit analysis. DECC is currently undertaking a project, which aims to further systematise DECC’s understanding of the whole system impacts of electricity generation technologies.
Electricity supplied to consumers in the North of Scotland region is produced by a range of generation types traded in a competitive market across GB. The electricity price paid by consumers in any given region is not therefore determined by the predominant generation type in that region.
Ofgem does not regulate energy prices - these are set by energy suppliers in competition with each other and so matters relating to the pricing of tariffs are a matter for each individual company.
Ofgem addressed the differences in electricity charges between regions at paragraph 2.5 of their recent report on ‘Regional Differences in Network Charges’. This stated that the differences observed are not a ‘surcharge’, but reflect the different network costs in the region when shared out between customers consuming energy in that area. They also saw “no compelling case” to change these arrangements, from a regulatory perspective.
The report also noted that electricity distribution charges in the north of Scotland are already cross-subsidised to an extent through the Government’s Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme. It is currently worth around £41 per annum per household in the north of Scotland, and means that consumers face lower network charges than they otherwise would.
This report can be obtained at:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-report-regional-differences-network-charges.
Detailed operating cost information per generation type of each energy company is not available publicly. Some information is available through supplier’s Consolidated Segmental Statements, which shows the annual operating costs of the largest suppliers generation businesses split into conventional and renewable generation.
Royal Mail, as the designated Universal Service Provider for the United Kingdom, is required under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) to deliver the universal service to all communities – urban and rural – throughout the UK – and that includes the communities of the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
However, some postcode areas around the country, which may include addresses in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, are subject to local exemptions under the USO. Such exemptions are only allowed where geographical conditions or other circumstances are considered to be exceptional by Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services. These exceptions are carefully monitored by Ofcom and are subject to an established appeals process. Quality of service targets for all postcode areas are published quarterly by Royal Mail.
Post Office Limited (POL) has no planned post office closures in the constituency. There is one possible planned change in Brora where there is a consultation underway to move the local post office to a new location in the community.
The UK has long been clear that we would only consider using our nuclear weapons in the most extreme circumstances of self-defence.
Electricity supplied to consumers in the Highlands and Islands region is produced by a range of generation types traded in a competitive market across GB. The electricity retail price paid by consumers in the Highlands and Islands, or any other given region, is not therefore determined by the predominant generation type in that region.
The particular challenges of electricity supply in the Highlands and Islands – primarily related to the relatively large and sparsely populated terrain – mean that it costs more to distribute electricity here than elsewhere. There are two UK Government schemes which ensure consumers in this region do not bear an unreasonable burden of these costs. The Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme is providing an assistance amount of £57m in 2015/16 to all consumers in the North of Scotland, which is funded through charges on all licensed electricity suppliers across GB. The Common Tariff Obligation ensures electricity suppliers in the North of Scotland are not able to charge comparable domestic consumers different prices solely on the basis of their location within the region and protects consumers in remote rural areas from the relatively high costs of supplying electricity in these areas.
Security at Dounreay nuclear site is a high priority for the Government. However, the Government does not comment on security at nuclear sites. Allocation of officers at Dounreay nuclear site is subject to the same processes and rules as other civil nuclear sites in the United Kingdom as regulated by the Office of Nuclear Regulation.
The Competition and Markets Authority report “Analysis of Generation Profitability” published on 25th February does not contain the information requested (some of this information may be found in publically available financial statements).
The Government supports the CMA’s independent investigation into energy market competition. The CMA’s legal powers provide access to the detailed information required to make a robust assessment of earnings and they have stated that they are continuing to look at overall profitability levels in both supply and generation.
The Department does not hold information pertaining to the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of energy generation assets other than material already in the public domain.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is an independent body. The Government does not have access to the commercially confidential information that market participants have provided to the CMA as part of the investigation into energy markets. It is a matter for the CMA to determine what information is put into the public domain.
The retail price that consumers pay is determined by a number of elements, including the wholesale price of electricity across GB, which is set in the wholesale market. The wholesale market price is usually determined by electricity produced by gas plants. Therefore even if hydroelectricity has lower costs, consumers across the country face electricity prices that are correlated with the gas price.
The updated issues statement and accompanying working papers set out the initial views of the CMA of energy markets including on generation profitability. The forthcoming publication by the CMA of their Provisional Findings is expected to provide greater clarity of any problems with the energy markets and potential solutions. The Department will assess the impact of those provisional findings once the report is published.
The department does not hold information pertaining to the EBITDA of energy generation assets other than material already in the public domain.
The Updated Issues Statement set out the initial views of the CMA on possible adverse effects on competition in the energy markets. The forthcoming publication by the CMA of their Provisional Findings is expected to provide greater clarity relating to competition problems in the energy markets and potential solutions. The Department will assess the impact of those provisional findings once the report is published.
As my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in the Written Ministerial Statement of 18 June 2015, Official Report, Column HCWS42, this Government is committed to ending new subsidies for onshore wind. We are currently considering how we use the tools available under the CFD to implement this manifesto commitment and will set out how to do so, in due course.
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out proposals to end new subsidies for onshore wind in relation to the Renewables Obligation (RO) in the Written Ministerial Statement of 18 June 2015, Official Report, HCWS42:
I also proposed a grace period to protect investor confidence and committed to engaging with industry and other stakeholders as I want to hear their views before framing the terms of the primary legislation intended to implement this.
Onshore wind has made a valuable contribution to the UK energy mix in recent years but has now reached the point where there is enough capacity in the pipeline to help the UK meet its 2020 renewable commitments. The grace period arrangements that we have proposed are intended to protect investor confidence in the wider renewables sector and balance the interests of onshore wind developers with consumers, who pay the cost of onshore wind generation through their energy bill. DECC will continue to engage with developers, investors and stakeholders as we to implement the manifesto commitment. We will consider carefully the level of investment that developers are likely to bring forward under the proposals announced by my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18 June.
I met the Czech Prime Minister in Prague on 22 January. We discussed reforming the UK’s relationship with the EU, the migration crisis, the international Syria donors conference, Syria and our shared fight against Daesh, and the sale of second-hand Czech Airforce aircraft to Iraq. I confirmed the UK was content for the sale of the Czech aircraft to proceed and welcomed the contribution this, and the Czechs, are making to the Coalition effort against Daesh.
In line with long-established convention, the Government does not generally publish information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet and its committees.
The UK will continue to have all of the rights, obligations and benefits that membership brings, including our right to draw down European funding, up until the point we leave the EU. Furthermore, as announced by My Right Honourable Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, EU funding granted before we leave the EU will be guaranteed after the UK leaves as long as it provides strong value for money and is in line with domestic strategic priorities.
Leaving the EU allows us to make fresh choices about how we shape our economy and presents an opportunity to deliver a bold, long term Industrial Strategy that builds on our strengths and prepares us for the years ahead. We will be able to take our own decisions about how to support businesses to grow and ensure that future arrangements are aligned to UK priorities.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Callum McCaig) on 25 January 2017 to Question UIN 60972.
I met my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Women, Equalities and Early Years in November to discuss a number of issues around women and the labour market. The issues covered included pregnancy and maternity discrimination; the gender pay gap; the Hampton-Alexander review; and women and start-ups.
The Department and the Government Equalities Office are working together to encourage involvement by women in business, for example by supporting the independent Hampton-Alexander Review. The review is a key part of our work to reflect modern Britain by increasing the representation of women at senior leadership positions and below in FTSE 350 Companies.
We are also working to ensure we have the right businesses environment for everyone, including women, to set up and grow a business. Women are able to benefit from the full range of business support available from government, including Start-Up Loans, of which to date 38% have been issued to women.
We expect to appoint the Commissioner in 2017 and we continue to make progress on implementation. Our public consultation on the policy for regulations underpinning the Commissioner’s complaints handling function closed in December and we are preparing the Government Response.
The Government is considering all options for carbon capture and storage in the UK and we intend to set out our approach in due course.
The Government has made significant progress on delivering the policy recommendations in the 2015 Productivity Plan. In addition to the £23 billion announced at Autumn Statement for the new National Productivity Investment Fund, the government’s forthcoming Industrial Strategy will focus on raising productivity to increase living standards for people across the UK.
We are aware that certain ports have an interest in replacing falling coal movements with biomass. However, it is for biomass supply chains and ports to determine the facilities that they require and which are available.
The Government does not publish projections of the future use of biomass fuels. Accurate modelling of future biomass requirements requires, among other things, knowledge of future Government policies which are yet to be decided. However, in 2011 we published an analysis of the technical potential of various biomass feedstocks which could be available for use in bioenergy. This can be found at:
The Government does not subsidise biomass fuels. The Government supports a range of renewable technologies which can use biomass fuels in generating low carbon energy for electricity, heat and transport. We do not distinguish between domestic and imported biomass fuels but there are standards on sustainability and greenhouse gas savings which apply to all biomass receiving subsidy.
On 9 November 2016 the Department published a call for evidence on renewable fuelled technologies in the Contracts for Difference scheme. The response to this consultation may help inform future policy decisions, including whether the support we currently offer to these technologies through the CFD is right for delivering our objectives on value for money for decarbonisation.
From 2013–2015, government and its agencies (including Innovate UK and the Research Councils) invested on average over £200m per year in support for low carbon innovation. This included support for identifying, promoting, and developing innovations in the wind and marine sectors, including for the Glasgow-based Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Supergen UK Centre for Marine Energy Research.
From 2016-2021, government has committed to increase the UK’s energy innovation spend, such that by 2021 it will have doubled to over £400m per year. This funding will support innovation across the energy sector in regions across the UK, and details will be set out in due course. Through the new Energy Innovation Board, chaired by Sir Mark Walport, the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy will be collaborating with Innovate UK, the Research Councils, and other delivery partners across government, including members of Devolved Administrations, to co-ordinate energy innovation activities.
The Government does not publish projections of the future use of biomass fuels. Accurate modelling requires knowledge of Government policies beyond this Parliament. In 2011 we published an analysis of the technical potential of various biomass feedstocks which could be available for use in bioenergy. This can be found at:
We are creating a business environment that supports growth and encourages long-term investment; as well as a dynamic economy with open and competitive markets. This has included backing business by cutting corporation tax to 17% by 2020, slashing red tape by a further £10 billion and major investments in the UK’s research infrastructure.
We are also in the process of developing an Industrial Strategy that will embrace the opportunities of our new global role and upgrade our economy so it works for everyone. We will work with the breadth of British industry, local leaders, innovators, employees and consumers to deliver a successful strategy and create the conditions for future success.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is contributing to the work of the Department for Exiting the European Union to analyse and understand the effects of leaving the EU on all sectors of the economy, including manufacturing.
The Department is in on-going dialogue with businesses and trade organisations to understand concerns and identify opportunities from EU withdrawal for the manufacturing sector right across the UK.
This Government has continuously engaged with this important sector and recognise the challenges it faces. Last week colleagues from HM Treasury and I met with representatives of the industry where we discussed the actions we are taking to maximise economic recovery of the UK Continental Shelf.
In the last two Budgets, the Government has provided a £2.3bn package of support to make sure the North Sea continues to attract investment, promote exploration and safeguard the future of this vital national asset.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not hold estimates on the number of households in the Highland area of Scotland with dynamically teleswitched meters who receive their electricity supply under Scottish Power’s Comfort Control tariff.
In Ofgem’s response to CMA Notice of Remedies published in August 2015, it was estimated that there were 160,000 households across Great Britain with dynamically teleswitched meters in operation at the end of 2014:
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not hold estimates on the number of households in the Highland area of Scotland with dynamically teleswitched meters who receive their electricity supply under Scottish Power’s Comfort Control tariff.
In Ofgem’s response to CMA Notice of Remedies published in August 2015, it was estimated that there were 160,000 households across Great Britain with dynamically teleswitched meters in operation at the end of 2014:
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not hold estimates on the number of households in the UK who have their electricity supplies controlled by dynamically teleswitched meters.
In Ofgem’s response to CMA Notice of Remedies published in August 2015, it was estimated that there were 160,000 households across Great Britain with dynamically teleswitched meters in operation at the end of 2014:
We do not hold information on how many households in Scotland with dynamically teleswitched meters receive their electricity supply from Scottish Hydro Electric or Scottish Power.
In Ofgem’s response to CMA Notice of Remedies published in August 2015 (available online at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/561e1fbaed915d39bc000013/Ofgem__revised_with_additional_material_.pdf ) , it was estimated that there were 160,000 households across Great Britain with dynamically teleswitched meters in operation at the end of 2014.
We do not hold information on how many households in Scotland with dynamically teleswitched meters receive their electricity supply from Scottish Hydro Electric or Scottish Power.
In Ofgem’s response to CMA Notice of Remedies published in August 2015 (available online at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/561e1fbaed915d39bc000013/Ofgem__revised_with_additional_material_.pdf ) , it was estimated that there were 160,000 households across Great Britain with dynamically teleswitched meters in operation at the end of 2014.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Ministers do not plan to issue any guidance to Ofgem in relation to households with dynamically teleswitched meters.
The Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the energy markets considered competition in the restricted meters segment of the market, including dynamically teleswitched meters.
In its final report published in June, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) included a number of provisions which will be implemented by the CMA through orders on suppliers and amendments to their licence conditions.
The Government continues to make progress in securing investment in clean, secure energy, as with the recent announcement on Hinkley Point C. We are committed to ensuring that the UK remains an attractive destination for investment in the coming years.
The fundamentals of Britain’s economy are strong. Leaving the EU provides an opportunity for even greater openness with international partners, including Europe. The Government remains committed to making Britain the best place in Europe to grow a business and to achieve this, we will support industry and encourage Foreign Direct Investment.
The focus on a proper industrial strategy provides a once in generation chance to embrace the opportunities of our new global role and upgrade our economy so it works for everyone. We will work with the breadth of British industry, local leaders, innovators, employees and consumers to create the conditions for future success across the UK.
The economic recovery of recent years means that our economy is better able to withstand the challenges of exiting the European Union. Our industrial strategy will support and encourage companies to trade internationally, create a business environment that will attract overseas investors to locate for the long term and identify and maximise the opportunities from leaving the European Union.
We are working closely with the Oil and Gas Authority and industry to ensure we have a clear understanding of the issues affecting the sector, including the impact of low prices.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will be responsible for helping to ensure that the economy grows strongly in all parts of the country, based on a robust industrial strategy. The Department will ensure the UK has secure energy supplies that are reliable, affordable and clean; encourage investment and innovation that fully utilises the UK science base; and enable a whole economy approach to deliver our climate change ambitions.
The UK remains a member of the European Union and all existing rules still apply. The negotiations to leave the UK will be a long, complicated process and in the meantime, Departments will continue working to deliver the Government agenda.