Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachel Hopkins and Graham Stuart

Tuesday 27th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab)]

T8. At last we have heard the excellent news from Stellantis that it is to build electric vans at Luton’s Vauxhall plant from 2025, as a result of the tireless efforts of both management and workforce in pursuit of efficiency and quality. What plans have the Government to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure to help to stimulate the EV consumer market?

[Graham Stuart]

The hon. Lady is right to salute the astonishing investments that we are seeing throughout the automotive sector, and I am delighted that the Government have been able to help to bring them about. As she knows, we are committed to spreading more and more charging across the United Kingdom, not least in motorway service areas, so that we have the infrastructure to facilitate the decarbonisation of transport alongside all our other emitters.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachel Hopkins and Graham Stuart

Tuesday 18th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero (Graham Stuart)]

The Government want communities to participate in and benefit from onshore wind proposals for their areas, and we will shortly issue a consultation on onshore wind partnerships in England to enable supportive communities hosting new onshore wind infrastructure to enjoy the benefits of doing so, exactly as my hon. Friend says, by getting developers to support local energy discounts, new community infrastructure projects and the like.

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab)]

T2.   Energy-intensive businesses need Government support to transition to a low carbon economy, including the Vauxhall van plant in Luton South, yet last month’s “green day” saw only weak reannouncements on carbon capture and storage and nuclear, and no new money for industry. Can the Minister explain why the Government are failing to help our motor manufacturing industry to decarbonise?

Electric Vehicle Battery Production

Debate between Rachel Hopkins and Graham Stuart

Wednesday 18th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I am working closely with the Department for International Trade, the Minister with responsibility for investment and others, and I am delighted to have the Minister for Trade Policy, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands), here beside me. We are absolutely determined to sell the opportunity of the site to contribute to the wider goals we have discussed, and to ensure local jobs and employment. The site offers a tremendous opportunity.

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab)]

Luton has long been associated with the motor manufacturing industry at the Vauxhall plant in my constituency. Workers there will tell you that their futures are under threat without battery factories. Another major worry in the automotive sector is the semiconductor supply chain. We have waited two years for the Government’s review. Can the Minister tell us when we will finally get it?

[Graham Stuart]

The hon. Lady is right to highlight the importance of semiconductors to the automotive industry. I hope we will see that coming out as soon as possible.