Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic impact of extending the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime activities on ferry routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including on trade flows.

The Government has assessed the economic impact of bringing maritime activities into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme through the published Impact Assessment, which found a positive net present social value for the UK as a whole.

Independent analysis by Frontier Economics identified no material risk of carbon leakage, diversion of trade, or competitive distortion on Great Britain–Northern Ireland routes. Internal route specific case studies also show very small effects on final prices, with increases of under 1% for typical freight goods. Overall, the policy delivers emissions reductions and wider economic benefits in the most cost-effective way possible.