Tag: Julie Elliott

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-10-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent steps she has taken to increase the UK’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported fuel sources; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom

The UK boasts a diverse range of energy sources including oil and gas, nuclear, a number of different renewable technologies and coal. These are home grown sources and it is our policy to add new nuclear and shale gas to the existing mix.

The recently established Oil & Gas Authority is working to maximize the economic recovery of UK conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources. In addition, the UK has six refineries which supply fuel into the domestic market and DECC is working closely with the industry to remove market distortions and ensure relevant regulations are fit for purpose, so they can continue to be competitive.

Furthermore, we are seeking to increase our domestic electricity generating capacity by working with three developers taking forward proposals to build six new nuclear power plants in the UK, including the recent commitment by EDF and CGN to take forward the Hinkley Point C Project. Renewables are also increasing our domestic generating capacity having provided nearly one fifth of the UK’s electricity needs in 2014 and we are on track to reach our target of 30% by 2020.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2016-05-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Answers of 16 February 2016 to Question 26010 and 11 April 2016 to Question 32109, when he plans to establish a reading room for hon. Members to access Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership documents.

Anna Soubry

The next round of negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will take place in July. The UK reading room will be open in time to access documents related to this round.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-10-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent steps she has taken to support carbon capture and storage technology to achieve commercial deployment; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) play an important role in meeting our 2050 emissions reduction target.

The CCS Commercialisation Programme could provide capital and operating support for up to two commercial scale projects, subject to value for money. As part of our support for CCS, we are investing up to £100 million to support detailed engineering studies at the proposed Peterhead and White Rose CCS projects to enable Final Investment Decisions.

Together with the Scottish Government we have committed, in principle, to provide £4.2 million to support Summit Power to undertake industrial research and development at their proposed CCS Caledonia Clean Energy Plant in Grangemouth, Scotland.

We have also invested over £130 million since 2011 to support research and development and innovation to foster the next generation of CCS technologies.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of fireworks on animal welfare.

George Eustice

The Government accepts that fireworks can have a detrimental effect on some animals. However, we consider that if users follow the correct and sensible use of fireworks combined with owners of animals taking certain precautions, these can help to avoid or reduce any detrimental effects.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-12-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect on UK employment of (a) the early closure of renewables obligation and (b) the zero allocation into pot one of the contract for difference auction in 2016; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom

The impact assessments for closing the renewables obligation early to 5MW-and-below solar and to onshore wind both included reference to the possible effect of these changes on employment. There will continue to be employment opportunities in relation to projects that qualify for grace periods, as well as in ongoing maintenance and management of existing sites; some jobs may also be redeployed to other sectors.

We are in the process of considering the concept of a market stabilising CFD for certain technologies – something which has been suggested by a number of stakeholders. We are listening to ideas from industry about how this can be achieved and how we can best ensure a level playing field between renewable and other generation technologies. We would welcome continued input from stakeholders.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2016-07-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will introduce a new programme to replace the EU School Milk Scheme after the UK’s exit from the EU.

George Eustice

Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the EU and current EU funding arrangements will continue unchanged. The Government will work with industry and the public to develop any new proposals that support our agricultural industry as we leave the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-12-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will ensure that the Green Investment Bank continues to pursue its principal objectives after its privatisation.

Anna Soubry

The Government is seeking to sell the Green Investment Bank (GIB) so it can grow and increase its impact in green sectors, free of the restrictions of being in the public sector.

GIB has over £2bn in existing and successful green investments, and employs seventy green sector specialists. This unique green specialism is what will attract investment from investors

As a key part of any sale discussions, the Government will be asking potential investors to confirm their commitment to GIB’s green values and investment principles and to set out how they propose to protect them.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of dehydration on the (a) safety and (b) health of elderly people living in care homes; and if he will make a statement.

David Mowat

In 2014 the Government updated the requirements of regulation with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide greater clarity about how the nutritional and hydration needs should be met. The new requirements are set out in Regulation 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, which came into force on 1 April 2015. The CQC can prosecute for a breach of this regulation if a failure to meet the regulation results in avoidable harm to a person using the service, or a person using the service is exposed to significant risk of harm.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-12-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the threat of legal action by the European Commission over UK levels of NOx on level of support required for vehicles that deliver zero real world tailpipe emissions.

Andrew Jones

Zero emission vehicles are a key component of any long term answer to urban air quality problems. The government will spend more than £600 million between 2015-16 and 2020-21 to support the uptake and manufacturing of ultra low emission vehicles in the UK which will keep the UK on track to meet our ambitious target that nearly all cars and vans will be zero emission by 2050.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2016 to Question 39163, when the Government expects to publish its analysis of responses to the consultation on the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

Ben Gummer

The Government has given careful consideration of the responses to the consultation and has sought to continue to engage with trade unions with the aim of reaching agreement on a set of reforms.

We expect to publish the response to the consultation shortly.