Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Monaghan Excerpts

Tuesday 14th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

4. What steps he is taking to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

[Dr Paul Monaghan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (SNP)]

14. What steps he is taking to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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

Between 1990 and 2015 the UK’s emissions have fallen by over a third while our economy has grown by over 60%. Since 2010, Government policy has contributed to a trebling of renewable electricity capacity and encouraging the take-up of low-carbon heating and ultra-low emission vehicles.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Hurd]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have reviewed and adjusted subsidies in relation to biomass, and we keep that under regular review.

[Dr Monaghan]

Given that Scotland’s renewable energy will be cheaper than that produced at Hinkley by the time it is complete and that Brexit is already pushing up the build costs of these reactors in an environment where the UK Government have unilaterally decided to abandon the protection of Euratom, will you scrap the costly and inefficient nuclear obsession in favour of a low-carbon future?

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman invests me with powers that I do not possess; that is very good of him.