Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Hammond Excerpts

Thursday 6th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)]

2. What recent assessment he has made of the security of the UK’s energy supply.

[Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)]

6. What recent assessment he has made of the security of the UK’s energy supply.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

18. What recent assessment he has made of the UK’s energy security.

--- Later in debate ---

[Matthew Hancock]

Of course, secure energy supplies are the most critical part of our responsibilities in the Department of Energy and Climate Change. We have taken steps to ensure that the market operates better, through the electricity market reform programme. We have also taken steps to ensure that there has been £45 billion of investment in energy infrastructure since 2010. This winter, we have worked with the National Grid Company to make sure there is additional capacity so that energy needs are covered no matter what the winter throws at us.

[Stephen Hammond]

There has been much scaremongering in the newspapers and other media recently about lights being turned off and energy being switched off. The relevance of today’s annual statement to my constituents and those of Members across the House lies in the Minister’s assurance that the lights will be kept on and heating will continue to be supplied to constituents.

[Matthew Hancock]

Indeed, and over the summer we also had some impact on our energy generation, both in nuclear and hydrocarbon generation. The fact that we got 15% renewable generation last year—double what we had in 2010—of course adds to energy security, but, crucially, we have to make sure that this and every winter we take the action necessary to have the energy supply that is demanded by consumers, be they households or businesses.