Speeches by Esterson.

“I was pleased to hear the Minister confirm the importance of our energy security, in contrast to what we saw under the previous Government. [Interruption.] Opposition Members can groan all they want, but that is the reality of what was inherited in July last year. As we extend energy infrastructure in this country, can…”

“I congratulate my hon. Friend the Minister on his marathon stint and on the pragmatic and well-crafted analysis of how the Government’s energy policies will address the security of supply and provide the best deal for bill payers. This is in stark contrast to what the Conservatives did, and in particular to what my hon…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for confirming the Government’s commitment to supporting production in existing North sea oil and gas fields and for confirming the desire to partner closely with industry and workers on the transition away from fossil fuels. Does he agree that the workers and communities that rely on the North s…”

“11. What steps he is taking to encourage public bodies to purchase British produce.”

“Farmers and growers in my constituency want to sell to hospitals and schools, but over the past few years they have found that increasingly difficult, not least because of the procurement chapters in the trade agreements that were concluded by the Conservative Government. Will my hon. Friend confirm that, under this Go…”

“Next week, the Select Committee will be hearing from some of the victims of the botched solid wall insulation installed under the previous Government’s energy company obligation and GB insulation scheme. That includes people whose homes may well have to be rebuilt, as the cost of repairing the damage may be higher. Wil…”

“AstraZeneca is a key partner in the Liverpool city region’s life sciences innovation zone, as is Maghull health park in my constituency, with its research and development plans. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Government will engage with partners in the city region, including the University of Liverpool, the metro…”

“The vote of confidence by PwC, the upgrading of the growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund and the £63 billion announced at the growth summit are all indications of this Government’s successful plans. Does the Minister agree that they are added to by the clear direction on green investment in energy project…”

“I thank my right hon. Friend for her statement and for announcing the public inquiry. I want to remember Alice, Bebe and Elsie, and their families and friends. I also want to remember the other victims of the attack and the first responders, some of whom have given harrowing accounts over the last six months of what th…”

“While listening to my right hon. Friend’s statement and the shadow Minister’s response, I have been reflecting on those friends who sadly died during the pandemic. I am sure everybody in the House will have their own experiences. My right hon. Friend mentioned the need for a new national pandemic planning exercise. Aft…”

“The shadow Minister missed from his story the role of Liz Truss. When she was the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2017, she made the decision to close our gas storage facility. Does the Minister agree that if we want energy security and lower prices, that all depends on reducing our reliance on the volatile nature o…”

“Last year, the UK imported 43% of our energy. Does the Secretary of State agree that, as well as protecting bill payers from the volatility of international fossil fuel markets and giving us energy independence, we have the potential for economic benefits from exporting electricity and hydrogen through the clean power …”

“I was going to come on to that after my questions.”

“You are not looking at non-CCUS alternatives, so CCUS has to work, basically.”

“Indeed. You mentioned a pipeline of projects, which relates to some of the questions we asked earlier. You didn’t mention it then, but you have mentioned it now. That is interesting. That pipeline is for CCUS rather than for other projects, is it?”

“I was wondering who underwrites the risks, but I suppose you have probably answered that.”

“I am pleased that you mentioned the 20 million tonnes of CO2 stored in Norway. Can you say how many years that was over?”

“Okay, so they have been going for 30 years. That is less than a million tonnes a year on average—is that right?”

“The National Energy System Operator has two pathways to 2030. It sounds like you are completely committed to the new dispatch pathway—is that correct?”

“That would have been really useful before today. On a related point, we have been talking about the levy payer’s contribution. Given that you are clearly very committed to carbon capture technology as part of the route to 2030—with the new dispatch or not—how can you be confident that bills are going to come down by 20…”