Speeches by Young.

“Coming back to Alastair, to what extent can Elexon, as a market facilitator, drive efficiencies that have a significant impact on the cost of electricity? In particular, DESNZ, Ofgem, the NESO and the Flexibility Commission all have a role in delivering the commitments set out in the clean flexibility road map. Does El…”

“Can I start with Alastair for this one? What scope is left to remove market access barriers to flexibility?”

“Coming back to Alastair, to what extent can Elexon, as a market facilitator, drive efficiencies that have a significant impact on the cost of electricity? In particular, DESNZ, Ofgem, the NESO and the Flexibility Commission all have a role in delivering the commitments set out in the clean flexibility road map. Does El…”

“Can I start with Alastair for this one? What scope is left to remove market access barriers to flexibility?”

“The sustainability of imported biomass is controversial. Is it more sustainable in the broader sense than abated methane gas?”

“Can you put a figure on how much that would reduce consumer bills?”

“I want to talk about Drax and biomethane or biogas. There has been a lot of criticism of the carbon negative claims made by Drax, and some analysts have predicted that the revamp of the site could be one of the most expensive energy projects in the world. If I can start with you, Dr Bukhsh, why do you think the Governm…”

“How economically competitive would BECCS be against abated methane gas in generating electricity?”

“How significantly could bills be lowered if the NESO reduced skip rates?”

“Alastair talked about it in terms of being a resource and a problem. Are there drawbacks to having more electric vehicles with bi-directional charging plugged into the grid? If so, what are those drawbacks?”

“Given we have the new mileage charge coming, but we also have grants to encourage electric vehicles, do you think the Government are sending mixed signals on EV adoption? Does that have consequences for flexibility?”

“In terms of equity, are you saying only a small proportion of the population have it, so it is unreasonable to spend public money because it only benefits what are likely to be disproportionately affluent parts of the population? Is that the point you are making?”

“A 2021 University of Bristol report stated that women in their 40s with dependent children were disproportionately represented among the excluded. That raises concerns about child poverty, mental ill health and compounding the effects of the gender pay gap. Does my hon. Friend agree that research is needed into those a…”

“Constituents who write to me about their battles with Government Departments overwhelmingly complain about delays, such as the typical 15-week wait for mandatory reconsideration. In response to my right hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael), the Minister spoke of talking to people first. Does t…”

“Last July, I wrote jointly with other Members to the Government to seek support for Gympanzees to open the UK’s first fully accessible exercise, play and social centre for disabled children and young people. I have had no response. Will the Secretary of State meet me and representatives of the charity to discuss how he…”

“Yes, I think so. What further legislative powers and resources would Ofcom need to effectively regulate misleading information online about the energy transition?”

“Yet the Government have said that consumer trust and satisfaction in the energy market is systematically lower than where it needs to be. What are you doing to rectify that?”

“Can you give examples of how Ofgem has tried to communicate these trade-offs to the public?”

“I shall move on to my questions to Ofgem. We have seen the massive impact that the energy crisis had on people. Ofgem’s mandate includes protecting consumers and facilitating net zero at least cost. This is probably a question for Neil to start with. How does Ofgem balance those objectives when they pull in different d…”

“I am asking what other powers you would like.”