Speeches by Miliband.

“I will answer the hon. Lady’s questions in a moment, but first I say to her that the biggest question for this House and for the country is: do we learn the lessons of these crises? Half the recessions that have happened since the 1970s have been caused by fossil-fuel price spikes. We all face a choice: we can either l…”

“With permission, I will make a statement about the situation in energy markets in the light of the unfolding conflict in Iran and the middle east. My thoughts are with the British citizens and those across the world affected by the events of recent days, and I thank members of our armed forces serving in the region and…”

“I agree with the hon. Lady on her fundamental point about why we are exposed. Cost of living support is obviously a matter for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, but I reiterate to her that the Chancellor showed a willingness to act on these issues in the Budget because she recognised the pressures that families ar…”

“My hon. Friend speaks wisely on these issues. I agree with what he said about how we get energy security and the right thing to do. On the question of bill payers, across Government and across the House, we are incredibly alive to and vigilant about the potential impact of the crisis. I believe there is cross-party sup…”

“We proceed on a certain basis with some countries and on different bases with different countries, as has been the practice of previous Governments. But honestly, ask me any questions about our relationship with China, and I will answer them for you.”

“I think I have explained to you the practices we are following and—”

“That is the practice that was employed under the previous Government, but ask me any questions about our relationship with China and I will answer them.”

“As I say, we are following the previous practice—”

“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.”

“Is that to put into public spending?”

“You’re really wrong about that.”

“At this stage, I emphasise what I probably emphasised to you last time, which is that I am open-minded about these things. That is the work that Lord Whitehead is now undertaking. He is bringing to bear his considerable expertise in those matters. In the recent AR7 auction we saw, I think, four tidal stream projects aw…”

“Yes; I am saying to you that that is why we have to be very cautious about our energy system.”

“With certain countries, we have certain approaches, and with others, we have other approaches, as have previous Governments—”

“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…”

“I am really pleased that you asked that question. I am really proud of our clean energy jobs plan, which is a new departure for Government, because it sets out not just our ambition for 400,000 extra jobs in relation to clean energy, but how we are going to go about the process of making sure we have the workforce avai…”

“We are moving as soon as we can.”

“Your question faces in so many different directions at once, Sir Christopher, that, with the greatest respect, it is hard to follow. You are simultaneously saying that the cost of solar is too low, that it is too high, that it will lower bills and that it will raise bills. You will have to clarify your question.”

“I was quoting you, actually, but yes.”

“We made a commitment of getting up to £300 off bills by 2030, and that remains our commitment.”