Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential for green hydrogen industries to help contribute to the UK’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced in decades. Alongside the focus on supporting the economy, the Government continues to take its environmental responsibilities very seriously.

Hydrogen could be an important part of the transition to net zero and has the potential to help the economy recovery in a stronger, cleaner, more sustainable way.

We are investing in innovation, providing up to £121m to support a range of projects to explore and develop the potential of low carbon hydrogen. This includes production, storage and end use in heat, industry and transport.

In 2019 the Government published a consultation on business models for Carbon Capture and Storage, which sought views on support for low-carbon hydrogen. The response to the consultation will be published in due course.