Speeches by Young.

“3. What steps she is taking to support flood preparedness projects.”

“I know there is space for argument when it comes to land use, because agricultural land is graded 1 to 5, and category 3a is included in best and most versatile, but 3b is not—yet none of the maps clarify what is 3a and what is 3b. Certainly in rural constituencies like mine, that is a source of argument when applicati…”

“Set aside but not distributed? Sorry, I misheard you.”

“But you have already awarded money. You just set out that you have awarded money for initiatives.”

“Can you explain a little more about those initiatives? You talked about the money that has gone to mayors and local community groups. Can you explain a little more about how that is being used? Specifically, how is that building support for the transition?”

“You have mentioned local benefits, and obviously the clean power 2030 action plan states that “communities will see clearer links between local projects, and local benefits”. What do you mean by that? How will local communities see these benefits?”

“Public support for renewable energy infrastructure and building out the electricity grid drops markedly if they are to be built in a local area. How do the Government intend to bridge that gap in support?”

“And on the broader question of advice?”

“I talked to a local farmer recently about the barriers that you have already covered: planning, access to the grid and costs. He also mentioned access to advice. On anaerobic digesters specifically, he suggested that they are not suitable for the vast majority of farmers, and that it is more complex than most people re…”

“I know there is space for argument when it comes to land use, because agricultural land is graded 1 to 5, and category 3a is included in best and most versatile, but 3b is not—yet none of the maps clarify what is 3a and what is 3b. Certainly in rural constituencies like mine, that is a source of argument when applicati…”

“Set aside but not distributed? Sorry, I misheard you.”

“But you have already awarded money. You just set out that you have awarded money for initiatives.”

“Can you explain a little more about those initiatives? You talked about the money that has gone to mayors and local community groups. Can you explain a little more about how that is being used? Specifically, how is that building support for the transition?”

“You have mentioned local benefits, and obviously the clean power 2030 action plan states that “communities will see clearer links between local projects, and local benefits”. What do you mean by that? How will local communities see these benefits?”

“Public support for renewable energy infrastructure and building out the electricity grid drops markedly if they are to be built in a local area. How do the Government intend to bridge that gap in support?”

“And on the broader question of advice?”

“I talked to a local farmer recently about the barriers that you have already covered: planning, access to the grid and costs. He also mentioned access to advice. On anaerobic digesters specifically, he suggested that they are not suitable for the vast majority of farmers, and that it is more complex than most people re…”

“The Minister indicated that Mandelson assured the Prime Minister that his relationship with Epstein was of a different nature. Can he explain what sort of relationship with a convicted paedophile would be acceptable in that role? Will the Prime Minister come back to the House to make a specific statement on the advice …”

“It is irrelevant.”

“That is helpful. You suggested that you are not sure how it will contribute to greater balancing flexibility in the grid more widely, in answer to the Chair’s question. You do not think that it will necessarily reduce grid pressure and the need for network investments if P441 comes in. That is not your expectation.”