Speeches by Whitby.

“Cement may not grab headlines, but it quite literally holds up our country. Virtually every hospital, school, bridge and home is built using cement. Without a thriving cement industry, it will not be possible to deliver the renewal our nation needs and the 1.5 million homes the Government have committed to build. Derby…”

“Are the cuts that have been made to overseas contributions by developed countries impacting on COP30? His Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota: I would single out the UK as a—let me choose my words carefully here—very responsible participant in this conversation and these efforts, given its early and ambitious NDC dis…”

“Our oceans are teeming with complex life, but today they are also in a state of crisis. Climate change, pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction and plastics are all placing our oceans under strain like never before. Our oceans are paying the price, with more than a third of UK fish stocks currently overfished and m…”

“Q14. Can the Prime Minister update the House on the Government’s elections Bill? Does he agree that in the light of recent court cases and the conviction of Reform’s former leader in Wales, no party whose leaders take Russian bribes can be trusted to defend our democracy?”

“How do you view the potential of novel carbon removal technologies such as biochar and enhanced rock weathering? Could these offer better value for money in the long term than things like BECCS and DACCS?”

“Is there a future for DACCS in this country? Do you think that will be part of the solution?”

“Could the establishment of a carbon removal budget help decide which methods of carbon removal should be prioritised in certain situations?”

“You have already mentioned some good news on EVs, but following the concessions made to the zero-emission vehicle mandate back in April, you have downgraded your assessment from credible plans to significant risks. Should the Government reverse this move? If not, are there other measures that could compensate for it?”

“Active travel and the modal shift can obviously, hopefully, play an important role in reducing emissions from surface transport. Does local government have sufficient funding mechanisms and the powers for the UK to match European neighbours such as Germany and the Netherlands in that regard?”

“When we have worked out what cars apply to it, what effect do you think the EV subsidy announced in July is going to have?”

“Studies have shown that the real-world emissions from hybrid vehicles are often 3.5 times the laboratory value. Are hybrids part of the journey towards sustainable motoring, or are they part of the problem?”

“I am pretty positive about carbon capture and storage, in particular the Peak Cluster project for the cement and lime industries; I just wanted to get that on record. Carbon capture is viewed by the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee as challenging and high-risk, and yet the Government are obviousl…”

“Going back to the fact that we cannot replace all PFAS, what uses of it do you think should be deemed critical? Are there any areas where we could replace them and look for alternatives? What would be a critical use of PFAS?”

“Would you agree with that view?”

“Mr Ede has already mentioned the alternative to PFOA in 2012. A question to all of you: do you believe that all PFAS could be replaced with alternatives?”

“How aware do you think the general public are as to the risks associated with exposure to certain times of PFAS?”

“Another question for you, Ms Metzger. How could improved access to industry data support safer chemical management?”

“When you have an alternative—you have the alternative to PFOA—how do you ensure that the alternative does not pose the same risk or similar risk to the original? How do you manage that sort of risk?”

“Mr Ede and Mr Joel, what forms of public engagement do you currently undertake regarding PFAS production?”

“The DCO states that any tree or shrub that dies within that five-year period needs to be replaced. You have already said that you have replanted 160,000. I have done the maths, and that seems like 45% of 336,000 trees. You have obviously replanted once. We are still in that five-year window. We have heard today that yo…”