Oral Answers to Questions

Roger Gale Excerpts

Tuesday 10th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ed Miliband]

I love my hon. Friend’s idea; it is such a good one. Local sports clubs and lots of other community organisations can benefit from that project. I will suggest the idea to Great British Energy.

[Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)]

Mr Speaker, The Times has told the world how old you are today.

[Mr Speaker]

They got it wrong!

[Sir Roger Gale]

I do not propose to write it into the record, but I note that you are catching up on me. [Laughter.] Happy birthday.

[Mr Speaker]

Let us move on.

[Sir Roger Gale]

Yesterday, a Minister said from the Dispatch Box that only 1% of farmland was being damaged by development, yet solar panels are smothering east Kent’s best farmland. It must stop. Given what the Secretary of State has said, what further steps will he take to protect our farmland and really do move solar panels on to rooftops, car parks and public buildings?

[Ed Miliband]

There are a few questions in there, and I will try to answer them as briefly as I can. Even for the biggest solar ambitions, less than 1% of land would be covered. The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that we need solar rooftops too. That is why we have put an end to years of dither and delay, and last week announced that new homes will have solar panels fitted as standard. It makes total sense.