Tag: Matthew Pennycook

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on costs to consumers of the contract for difference awarded to Hinkley Point C.

Andrea Leadsom

As stated in my answer to PQ 15115, under the CfD consumers won’t pay anything for electricity until the plant is powering their homes and businesses. Payments under the CfD are expected to make up around £10 (real 2012 prices) of the average household energy bill in 2030. This should be seen in the context of Hinkley Point C meeting 7% of the UK’s energy needs, and set against our estimate that a new nuclear programme could reduce average household bills by up to around £30 in 2030 (again in real 2012 prices). This is calculated by comparing the costs for consumers in a modelled scenario for the future electricity mix with Hinkley Point C and a further role out of the new nuclear programme with the cost for consumers in a scenario where there are no new nuclear power stations by 2030. Savings could be higher or lower depending on changes in the cost of alternative generation technologies and what mix of technologies would ultimately be used.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the extent of anti-competitive practices in the newspaper wholesale market.

Nick Boles

Responsibility for considering competition issues in the UK falls to the independent competition authorities. Since 2014 this role has been carried out by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the predecessor of the CMA, conducted a detailed investigation of the operation of the distribution arrangements for the supply of newspapers and magazines in England and Wales over a number of years. In September 2009, the OFT decided that, although there might be competition concerns, developments benefiting consumers could come about from industry parties self-assessing their distribution agreements following competition guidance provided by the OFT.

The OFT considered that it would not be feasible for the Competition Commission to obtain the necessary evidence at that time properly to assess how the supply chains were likely to evolve in the short term. This decision was reviewed and confirmed in March 2012 and was upheld by the Competition Appeal Tribunal in October 2012.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent consideration he has given to amending existing non-statutory guidelines on Residential Leasehold and Recognised Tenants’ Associations to ensure that those who reside in larger blocks and developments have the same opportunity to gain recognition as a recognised tenants’ association as those in smaller blocks and developments.

Brandon Lewis

The non-statutory guidelines available to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) when considering applications for statutory recognition of a tenants’ association, apply to all residential blocks of flats, large or small.

Recognising concerns raised about the ability to acquire statutory recognition, the Department published a detailed discussion paper last year to consider what more can be done through the existing guidelines to assist the tribunal when considering applications. We are currently considering responses to the discussion paper.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-04-21.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of low long-term real interest rates on house prices.

Harriett Baldwin

According to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics, UK house price growth moderated to 7.6% in the year to February 2016, down from a peak of 12.1% in September 2014. A number of factors are likely to have supported demand for housing in recent years, including low interest rates.

The Government has established the independent Financial Policy Committee (FPC) within the Bank of England, designed to monitor risks to the UK financial system and take action to address those where appropriate. The FPC has been given the authority and a powerful set of tools to tackle the risks posed to financial stability from the housing market.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his policy is on reform of the feed-in tariff for solar generation.

Jesse Norman

Almost 11 GW of solar capacity has now been installed. Solar continues to deploy under the Feed-in Tariff scheme, with over 140 MW of applications since the scheme reopened in February.

Changes to the Feed-in Tariff scheme were introduced in 2016 to manage costs and ensure value for money. While it is appropriate to allow for a period of stability following these changes, the Secretary of State continues to keep the performance of the scheme under review.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2015-11-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Capacity Market does not favour any class of generators.

Andrea Leadsom

The Capacity Market is technology neutral, i.e. it does not seek to procure specific volumes of capacity from different types of technology. Before the start of pre-qualification for the auction, National Grid discounts the capacity available from each technology according to its historic reliability. These steps ensure that all types of eligible capacity are able to participate on an equal basis. The principle of technology neutrality allows the market to identify which technology type is cost efficient in delivering security of supply.

We are satisfied with the wide range of different technologies that have prequalified for the next Capacity Market auction, which will take place next month.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans she has to support solar thermal systems in the domestic and non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

Andrea Leadsom

We intend to reform the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to improve value for money and reduce costs; improve cost control and budget management; and ensure the scheme focuses more on our long-term needs, while contributing to both our carbon and renewable energy targets. We plan to consult on the changes shortly. Therefore, I am unable to make specific commitments as to the future shape of the scheme at this point.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to improve consumer awareness of the presence of high-fructose corn syrup in food with better labelling.

Jane Ellison

The Food Information for Consumers Regulation has recently overhauled the food labelling system. Under the regulations, any corn syrup must be clearly marked on all prepacked food products in the ingredients list. All ingredients must be listed by order of weight and in at least the minimum font size, making them clearly apparent to consumers.

In addition, nutrition labelling of pre-packed foods, including the amount of total sugars, will be mandatory from 13 December 2016. It will supplement the ingredient information on food labels. Some parts of the food industry already provide nutrition information.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-04-25.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the methodology used to measure productivity in the UK.

Greg Hands

The Independent Review of UK Economic Statistics, commissioned by the Chancellor and Minister for the Cabinet Office last summer, suggested that fuller measurement of the economy could add between one-third and two-thirds of a percent to the growth to UK GDP. Better measurement of the digital economy, intangible investment and the sharing economy could therefore improve measurement of output, and thus productivity. The Chancellor welcomed the report’s findings at Budget 2016 and committed to invest over £10m in a new hub for data science, and a centre for excellence for improving measurement of the modern economy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Pennycook on 2016-09-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to publish NHS Sustainability and Transformation Plans for South East London.

David Mowat

Local areas will submit their plans to the national health and care bodies for review in October, with further public engagement and consultation taking place from this point.

We expect that most areas will take a version of their Sustainability and Transformation Plan to their organisation’s public board meeting for discussion between late October and the end of the year. We would also expect that most areas will publish their plans, for more formal engagement, during this period, building on the engagement they have already done to shape thinking. No changes to the services people currently receive will be made without local engagement and, where required, consultation.

NHS England, with other national health and care bodies, released guidance to the local areas developing Sustainability and Transformation Plans entitled ‘Engaging local people’ in September 2016 which can be found on their website.