Jobs and Growth in a Low-carbon Economy

Thérèse Coffey Excerpts

Monday 5th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con)]

I thank my hon. Friends the Members for Waveney (Peter Aldous) and for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis) for their continued championing of East Anglia as the energy coast.

It is fair to say that there will be no economic growth without increased energy consumption, and the challenge to decarbonise our economy comes at a time when we have to spend about £200 billion on rebuilding it. The electricity market reforms have been very positive for the construction of new nuclear power stations. That did not happen under the previous Government, and I am proud that it will be happening under our Government. Sizewell C will be a key employer for many years to come, and it will afford construction opportunities in the near future.

My hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Southampton North (Caroline Nokes) talked about energy from waste.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Order. I apologise to the hon. Lady, but it is time for the wind-up speeches.