Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if the Government will make it its policy to eliminate all indirect and direct fossil fuel subsidies within the present Parliament.

The UK does not have any fossil fuel subsidies. The Government sees clear benefits from climate, domestic energy security and budgetary stability perspectives, of phasing out such subsidies internationally. Therefore, where helpful, we will continue to aid the global effort to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The UK remains a strong supporter of the G20 commitment to rationalise and phase out, over the medium term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption. You may also be aware that my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced that the UK will support the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Communique - which is to be presented at the Climate Change negotiations in Paris later this year - calling for more action on this matter.