Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what interim support is available to energy intensive industries not covered by the Energy Intensive Industries scheme before the next review of that scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) are facing uncompetitively high energy costs. While some sectors are not currently eligible for EII schemes support, we would welcome all views from impacted EIIs when the Government consults on the future eligibility criteria of these schemes in 2026. The Government wants to ensure that we are supporting as many impacted sectors as possible during the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy, while mitigating carbon leakage and protecting British jobs.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, why (a) fish processing was excluded and (b) poultry processing was included in the Energy Intensive Industries scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The eligibility criteria for both the Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) Compensation Scheme and British Industry Supercharger are based on electricity usage and trade intensity levels. Some EIIs therefore do not meet the thresholds necessary to qualify for support under either scheme. The Government will review the eligibility criteria for both schemes in 2026 to ensure our support for EIIs is effective, proportionate and targeted. We would encourage views from a wide range of stakeholders during consultations.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including fish processing in the Energy Intensive Industries scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
While fish processing is not an eligible sector under the British Industry Supercharger or Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) Compensation Scheme, the Government will undertake a review of eligibility criteria in 2026. We would welcome views from a wide range of stakeholders, and the Government would encourage businesses in the fish processing sector to engage with this consultation when the opportunity arises. The Government wants to ensure our support is proportionate, effective and targeted to the most impacted EIIs to aid the net-zero transition.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will launch a consultation on the electric vehicle pavement channels grant; and whether that grant will be treated as a subsidy.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A range of stakeholders were engaged during the policy development of the Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels grant, including local government, cross-pavement solution providers, chargepoint operators and disability groups. No further consultation on the grant is planned.
We have assessed the grant under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and determined that it is not a subsidy.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to grant energy network operators dedicated radio spectrum access required for (a) enhanced visibility and (b) control of the energy system.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. The government is considering how it can support the development of telecommunications infrastructure for a decarbonised energy system. As part of this, my officials are in regular discussion with counterparts in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with Ofcom on potential spectrum requirements.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of hydrogen blending in the transmission network.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government remains committed to assessing the case for hydrogen blending. In December 2024 we set out an intention to consult on transmission-level blending within Great Britain in early 2025, to gather evidence to help inform a strategic policy decision on whether to support transmission blending.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she plans to hold with Scottish port operators on the proportion of the planned £1.8 billion funding for port infrastructure that will be provided to Scottish ports to support energy transition.
Answered by Mike Kane
This government has announced the creation of a £7.3bn National Wealth Fund, for which investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority. HM Treasury and the UK Infrastructure Bank are leading on the setting up of the NWF and agreeing details of its operation such as funding criteria, process, and allocation. The Fund is intended to be UK wide. Key missions for the UK government and this Department are kickstarting economic growth, creating opportunity for all, and driving forward the UK’s green energy transition.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a proportion of the Government's £1.8 billion planned investment in port infrastructure will be allocated to the deployment of shore power schemes in Scottish ports.
Answered by Mike Kane
This government has announced the creation of a £7.3bn National Wealth Fund, for which investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority. HM Treasury and the UK Infrastructure Bank are leading on the setting up of the NWF and agreeing details of its operation such as funding criteria, process, and allocation. The Fund is intended to be UK wide. Key missions for the UK government and this Department are kickstarting economic growth, creating opportunity for all, and driving forward the UK’s green energy transition.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that its proposed £1.8 billion funding for port infrastructure will lead to (a) economic growth and (b) job creation.
Answered by Mike Kane
This government has announced the creation of a £7.3bn National Wealth Fund, for which investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority. HM Treasury and the UK Infrastructure Bank are leading on the setting up of the NWF and agreeing details of its operation such as funding criteria, process, and allocation. The Fund is intended to be UK wide. Key missions for the UK government and this Department are kickstarting economic growth, creating opportunity for all, and driving forward the UK’s green energy transition.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many times he has met the workforce at Grangemouth oil refinery since his appointment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It was deeply disappointing that Petroineos confirmed its previous decision to close the oil refining operation at Grangemouth.
Since taking office, the Secretary of State and I have taken joint action with the Scottish Government to urgently engage with the company and its shareholders, and to engage with unions to discuss the needs of the workforce.
In response to the company’s decision, the UK and Scottish Governments announced a joint £100 million investment package for Falkirk and Grangemouth; immediate career support to help the workforce; and a joint-funded £1.5 million project to find viable long-term options for the site, with potential for future support from the National Wealth Fund.
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.