argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Renewable Energy: Subsidies — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the likely effect of changes to subsidies on the predicted deployment rates of renewable energy by 2020.; What assessment her Department has made of the likely effect of changes to subsidies on the predicted deployment rates of renewable energy by 2020.; What assessment her Department has made of the likely effect of changes to subsidies on the predicted deployment rates of renewable energy by 2020.
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his new role. Our position is that subsidies are supposed to be temporary. That is why I set out a plan yesterday to reduce the subsidy for offshore wind. The industry is happy to engage with us on that basis. We will set caps with it and, I hope, deliver offshore wind with it at a lower price than has been achieved before. On the other subsidies that he mentioned, we are making sure that we deliver a balance. There has been woeful underinvestment in infrastructure over recent decades. Under Labour, no nuclear power station was commissioned, which was a disgrace. We will move forward with a secure supply of electricity.
Fuel Poverty: Energy Efficiency Schemes — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): From 2013 to the end of August this year, the energy company obligation had installed about 887,000 energy efficiency measures in more than 700,000 households on low incomes or in deprived areas. We are clear that the support should go to those in the greatest need.
Fuel Poverty: Energy Efficiency Schemes — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): We are proud to have achieved more than 887,000 measures on energy efficiency. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said yesterday, we will redirect our ECO budget in the coming years towards those in greatest need and those who are suffering from the worst impacts of living in cold, damp or drafty homes.
Fuel Poverty: Energy Efficiency Schemes — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The green deal plan was a small percentage of our measures, and it was closed to new entrants precisely because it did not have the take-up that we had hoped for. Some 96% of installed measures are delivered through ECO, and, as I have explained, we have put in a bid to focus our ECO even more on the fuel poor, which is our top priority.
Fuel Poverty: Energy Efficiency Schemes — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not agree with that. The key point is that an enormous number of homes do not currently reach the band C efficiency level, and we are determined to improve that as far as possible. That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced yesterday that we will focus all our energy efficiency and fuel poverty budgets on the most needy. That is vital.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government support the view that the Paris agreement should set out a long-term direction on adaptation for all countries. In 2014, only 16% of climate finance mobilised to developing countries supported adaptation, and it is clear that globally we must do more. That is why the Prime Minister has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to aim to spend 50% of our climate finance on adaptation.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that the Government are committed to getting a deal in Paris. We are aware that that deal will require considerable financing, which is why my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that we will increase our commitment to climate finance up to $9 billion over this five-year spending period—a significant increase. We remain committed to making adaptation an important part of that, but we are not yet in a position to commit the rest of the world in terms of the final deal that will be reached.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I find the hon. Gentleman’s question disappointing. The UK is rightly proud of our Climate Change Act, and of the targets and aims that we are setting for ourselves. We will provide leadership in Paris. The number of texts and notes that I received yesterday after creating that strong sign on coal was remarkable. I urge the hon. Gentleman to stop knocking the United Kingdom’s negotiating position, and to start supporting us in leading and getting a global deal
Government's Environmental Agenda — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): Ministerial colleagues in DEFRA lead the Government’s environmental agenda overall. My Department leads work to cut carbon emissions, which is essential for protecting our environment for future generations. Working across Departments is essential to deliver our carbon commitments. Let me give two examples: we are cutting emissions, driving innovation and creating jobs through our joint work with the Department for Communities and Local Government on energy efficiency and with the Department for Transport on low emissions vehicles.
Government's Environmental Agenda — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
James Jacob Gilchrist Berry (Conservative, Centre-right): To take my right hon. Friend away from the UK, Ascension Island is one of the last refuges for the global stock of large fish, including tuna, marlin and sailfish. With that in mind, will she update me on progress in creating a marine conservation zone around Ascension Island and other British overseas territories?
Government's Environmental Agenda — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his important question. We are working with overseas territories on their current marine management arrangements to audit them and provide support in addressing gaps. In particular, we are working with the Ascension Island Government to balance their ambition for a sustainable fishery with the development of a marine protected area.
Government's Environmental Agenda — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): We always work across Government and ensure that everybody is consulted on major changes. The particular issue of solar on public houses will form part of the consultation, and I will be making further announcements in December.
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend will be aware that the Government are committed to an expansion of new nuclear power, which is a vital part of our work to build a clean, affordable, safe and reliable energy system for the future. The industry is taking forward proposals to build six new nuclear power plants, providing 18 GW of low carbon power in the UK. We are in regular contact with it.
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Stephen James Metcalfe (Conservative, Centre-right): Following the recent welcome announcement that China will be involved in the provision of new nuclear, will my right hon. Friend reassure the House and my constituents that all proper safety and security measures will be taken, and that a robust mechanism for monitoring such will be in place?
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, I can absolutely reassure my hon. Friend. Safety in our nuclear plants is of paramount importance. Any operator of a UK nuclear plant must meet the UK’s stringent safety and security regulations, which are enforced by an independent regulator. They provide a whole range of controls, including safe and secure operation, consumer protection, security of UK supply and enforcement of contractual obligations.
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady can, of course, use the normal methods for encouraging a debate. There have been many already. Hinkley Point offers low carbon affordable energy that is highly cost-competitive with clean energy sources. The point is that it is base-load. The UK bill payer will not have to pay a penny until it is actually generating. That is very good value for the UK bill payer.
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Rebecca Faye Clark (Pow) (Conservative, Centre-right): First, I would like to congratulate the Secretary of State on her masterly speech yesterday Does the Minister agree that we need a mix of energy, including nuclear, which I am pleased to say we have in my area of Somerset, as well as solar and wind? It has to be a balance, it has to be at the best cost and it has to be about innovation, which will, in itself, create the sorts of jobs in the energy sector that Opposition Members are worried we are losing.
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is exactly right. We need an energy mix, which is exactly what we are achieving and what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out in her speech yesterday. I was delighted to visit Hinkley Point last week and see the enormous pride and excitement in the area about the prospective jobs and work in the supply chain and the huge investment in the area. It is really good news for the UK and our energy security.
Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady will know that the UK has an enormous nuclear legacy dating back to the 1940s and ’50s. A huge amount of work is being done at Sellafield and other sites to dispose safely of that nuclear waste. As she will know, the budget is extremely large—in the region of £3 billion—but that money is being spent to deal safely with this very long legacy. I can assure her, however, that new nuclear creates far less waste. We are planning a geological disposal facility to make sure that future taxpayers have nothing like that legacy to deal with.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): We are focused on Paris at the moment. We are working with our EU colleagues, other countries and like-minded allies to bring along other countries that might be more reluctant or more difficult to get across the line. With our EU colleagues, we have set targets, such as that for a 40% reduction by 2030, but at the moment our focus is on Paris.
Solar Energy: Schools — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What steps her Department has taken to encourage schools to invest in solar energy; what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education on the effect of borrowing restrictions on investment by schools in solar energy; and if she will make a statement.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): In April 2014, my Department published a leaflet encouraging schools to invest in solar PV, which was followed up with a letter to local authorities in November 2014. We encourage deployment through the financial incentive of the feed-in tariff, but discussions are always ongoing with other Departments on what more can be done to help schools invest in solar.
Solar Energy: Schools — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: What steps her Department has taken to encourage schools to invest in solar energy; what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education on the effect of borrowing restrictions on investment by schools in solar energy; and if she will make a statement.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I would like to apologise publicly to the local MP. I shall look into the matter today. Restrictions on school borrowing are necessary, however, to protect public sector accounts. School borrowing contributes to public sector net debt and borrowing—two important fiscal measurements that we must control in order to bring down the national deficit and retain economic confidence—which is why we have no plans to lift restrictions on borrowing.
District Heating Sector — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. I am aware that heating networks do not have the same regulatory framework. Heat Trust is launching on 25 November, following development and consultation with consumer groups and Government. I see that he has a certain doubt about the success of Heat Trust, but we will work closely to monitor its impact and will assess, based on its record, whether further action is needed.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the number of jobs in the solar power industry.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): During consultation on the proposed changes to the feed-in tariffs, we strongly encouraged all parts of the small-scale renewables sector to provide evidence on the likely impact. The actual impact on solar companies will, of course, depend on the options taken forward when the responses to the consultation have been considered.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the number of jobs in the solar power industry.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): We are huge supporters of the solar sector. The point is that there is a balance to be struck between the enormous success in deployment, which is exceeding our expectations, and the impact on the bill payer. We have to keep that balance. We have consulted on it and will issue our response in due course, but it is absolutely our intention to see the solar sector continue to thrive.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the number of jobs in the solar power industry.
Michelle Emma May Elizabeth Donelan (Conservative, Centre-right): A number of leading solar community projects and green energy companies are based in my constituency, including Good Energy, which supplies more than 50,000 UK consumers. People who work in the industry fully understand the need for it to be sustainable, but they feel that a drop of up to 87% overnight is more than the industry can cope with, in terms of local jobs and growth. Will the Minister look at what more can be done to support existing projects and for mechanisms to keep the solar industry alive until grid parity is reached?
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the number of jobs in the solar power industry.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this very important matter for her constituency. I can absolutely assure her that we are looking at it carefully. I had a round table meeting with a number of solar firms and heard their views at first hand before the consultation closed. We are looking carefully at the more than 55,000 responses and will come forward with our policy response as soon as we can.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the number of jobs in the solar power industry.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her question. Obviously her constituent will be pleased to know that the subsidy from the bill payer that she has received will continue to be available to her—I think there has been some confusion about that point. For those who come later, the proposal in our consultation is for the return to investors to be in the region of about 4%, as opposed to the current level, which is significantly higher. We were required by the EU to look at the tariffs on a three-year basis and that is what we have done. We have put forward a proposal and we are looking carefully at the responses.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment her Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs on the number of jobs in the solar power industry.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): We have a big and growing energy sector. We are bringing forward policy proposals to develop new sources of energy, which will mean a whole raft of new jobs and new opportunities for people, but there is always a balance to be struck. What we cannot do is permanently subsidise at the expense of the bill payer; many issues have already been raised about fuel poverty. In the end, industries need to stand on their own two feet.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): Paris is a city that is currently in mourning, but in less than two weeks’ time we will see the world gather there in solidarity to seek to achieve the first truly global deal on climate change. Yesterday I announced plans to close all unabated coal-fired power stations by 2025 and to restrict their use by 2023. This is a world-leading commitment to the environment and underlines our crystal-clear determination to cut carbon emissions as cost-effectively as possible. I stress that the UK’s energy security comes first. As we tackle a legacy of under-investment and build a new system of energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century, we need to replace ageing polluting power stations with reliable, good value-for-money alternatives that help to reduce our emissions.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): Ofgem estimates that the average household could save about £200 a year by shopping around for their energy needs, but 62% of households have never switched, while 45% mistakenly believe that there is no benefit from doing so. My hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Nusrat Ghani) raised the issue of online information access, but what else are the Government doing to encourage households to switch and save money?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I genuinely welcome the hon. Lady’s question, and I am proud of the fact that we in the United Kingdom are united across the political divide in wanting to get an ambitious deal in Paris. I also share the hon. Lady’s view that what we need is not just a deal, but a deal that has five-year reviews as part of it, so that whatever the final deal—I really hope we will get a deal in Paris—we have some way of coming back regularly in order to reflect on the actual emissions, their consequences and perhaps on new technology that might be available to help us all to reduce them.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Environment
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I can reassure the hon. Lady that we are committed to the Climate Change Act and to working with the Committee on Climate Change to ensure that we stick to the commitments that are enshrined in law and deliver the low-carbon future that we all want.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: Given the ongoing complex challenges in the world, particularly Russia’s recent action in the Ukraine, can my right hon. Friend tell us what steps she is taking further to strengthen this country’s national energy security?
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): There is a big, liquid global gas market and we are, of course, trying to bring on our own national gas through shale. I note my hon. Friend’s concerns, and I am happy to say that we get most of our imported gas from Norway. He raises a good point, and we will keep the matter constantly under review.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: Given the ongoing complex challenges in the world, particularly Russia’s recent action in the Ukraine, can my right hon. Friend tell us what steps she is taking further to strengthen this country’s national energy security?; According to conversations that I have had with a number of energy suppliers, they have evidence suggesting that in-home displays are not used by most of the customers who are provided with them. Can the Minister explain why the Government remain wedded effectively to mandating the provision of IHDs for their smart meter roll-out, rather than allowing consumers to choose the engagement tool for managing their energy use that suits them best?
David Mowat (Conservative, Centre-right): Far and away the dominant zero-carbon technology, in the United Kingdom and globally, is nuclear power. I welcomed the earlier announcement that we were working on six new stations in the UK, but an emerging technology involving small modular reactors is causing a great deal of excitement, and could make a big difference. Does the Minister expect the UK to play a part in that?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy
Questions: Given the ongoing complex challenges in the world, particularly Russia’s recent action in the Ukraine, can my right hon. Friend tell us what steps she is taking further to strengthen this country’s national energy security?; According to conversations that I have had with a number of energy suppliers, they have evidence suggesting that in-home displays are not used by most of the customers who are provided with them. Can the Minister explain why the Government remain wedded effectively to mandating the provision of IHDs for their smart meter roll-out, rather than allowing consumers to choose the engagement tool for managing their energy use that suits them best?
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this issue. The UK gave up its ability to design and export nuclear reactors some years ago, and we are currently at the forefront of looking at new nuclear technology, including small modular reactors. I recently met representatives of the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board to discuss some of their exciting ideas, and, subject to the spending review, I think we shall be hearing more about them.