Speeches by Miliband.

“We inherited a situation where, as you are right to say, the solar industry across the world and indeed in the UK was dominated by China. Unlike the previous Government, we actually want to develop UK supply chains. That is why we have had the clean industry bonus, which is going to invest in, or lever in billions of p…”

“Of course there are security risks in relation to China that we have to be vigilant about.”

“I am just explaining to you that we are following the practices of previous Governments, but—”

“Yes—that is what I was going to say when I said I would give you a more general answer. First, a lot of work is going on with the National Electricity System Operator to make sure that in our future projections of electricity demand we look at the demands of data centres on the system, including any implications for bi…”

“Another thing that has happened since I came to this Committee is that we have published our carbon budget and growth delivery plan. I can say that we had massive amounts of co-operation from across Government, including in particular from the Department for Transport and DEFRA, because this is such an important framew…”

“I have answered the question, Mr Thomas.”

“I don’t know the answer, but I am happy to find out.”

“It is a really good point. We obviously inherited a massive backlog of investment in the grid over many years, and that is why making the investments in the grid, including in RIIO-3—the coming period—is so important, not least because of the question of the so-called constraint costs that we face. That is one part of …”

“Even when the sun is not shining, Sir Christopher, solar works.”

“To do what it says on the tin. In a sense, we inherited that label, and I agree that a real passport involves as seamless a transition as possible, without the cost of moving from one industry to another necessarily falling on the individual.”

“You would have to ask them.”

“We are simply following the practice of the previous Government in relation to a 2015—I think—memorandum of understanding. But ask me anything about our relationship with China, Mr Thomas, and I will answer it.”

“Because we don’t have the industry, because of the failure of your Government.”

“It goes back to the word that I used in my opening statement: delivery. What is really exciting about the phase we are now moving into is that people are going to see the benefits of our agenda: 2.7 million extra people this winter have the warm home discount as a result of the decisions taken by this Government; peopl…”

“There’s a headline: Miliband not blamed for sun not shining. That is extremely generous.”

“I have given an answer. I do not have any more to add to the answers I gave.”

“It is obviously important to take into account the impact of data centres.”

“I just want to interject; you asked a question, so let me answer it, just for the sake of clarity. In the results of AR7, which we published yesterday, solar is at £65 per MWh. That is, by far, the cheapest technology available. If you are a fan of gas as a solution, that would be, by comparison, £147 per MWh to build …”

“Sir Christopher, if we did that, you would say, “Why are you raising bills for everybody in this country?” We saw record solar installation last year. That is helping to cut bills for families across Britain. We are in a cost of living crisis, and it is incredibly important that we do everything we can to cut bills for…”

“We are looking forward to our trip.”