To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring transparent display of price paid per gramme among (a) over-the-counter and (b) online operators in the gold-buying sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring transparent display of price paid per gramme among (a) over-the-counter and (b) online operators in the gold-buying sector.

The price of shares and commodities can help show the health of the economy. Find the latest data on the prices of shares, oil and gold.

The price of shares and commodities can help show the health of the economy. Find the latest data on the prices of shares, oil and gold.

How many households use fuels other than mains gas and how have prices of these fuels changed in recent years?

How many households use fuels other than mains gas and how have prices of these fuels changed in recent years?

This briefing sets out the challenges for future water resources in England. It covers future water resource forecasts, policy and legislation, and planned actions to address the water supply deficit.

This briefing sets out the challenges for future water resources in England. It covers future water resource forecasts, policy and legislation, and planned actions to address the water supply deficit.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for electricity prices in Northern Ireland of the decision to disapply VAT on domestic electricity bills for six months.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for electricity prices in Northern Ireland of the decision to disapply VAT on domestic electricity bills for six months.

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office of 21 July, New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, what assessment they have made of how cutting VAT on electricity bills will be funded after this...

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office of 21 July, New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, what assessment they have made of how cutting VAT on electricity bills will be funded after this...

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office of 21 July, New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, whether the cut in VAT on electricity bills will last for one year.

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office of 21 July, New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, whether the cut in VAT on electricity bills will last for one year.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to cut energy bills for households by up to £300 by 2030.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to cut energy bills for households by up to £300 by 2030.

Andy Burnham has announced several policies to help people with the cost of living, with average prices having risen 30% since 2021.

Andy Burnham has announced several policies to help people with the cost of living, with average prices having risen 30% since 2021.

Find out about the causes and consequences of medicines shortages, and UK Government actions in response to supply disruption affecting human medicines.

Find out about the causes and consequences of medicines shortages, and UK Government actions in response to supply disruption affecting human medicines.

Find the latest data on house prices, mortgage approvals, and house building in the UK.

Find the latest data on house prices, mortgage approvals, and house building in the UK.

The Contracts for Difference scheme supports new low carbon infrastructure. This briefing gives an overview of the CfD scheme and statistics on the projects it has delivered.

The Contracts for Difference scheme supports new low carbon infrastructure. This briefing gives an overview of the CfD scheme and statistics on the projects it has delivered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the potential impact of Openreach pricing on the Government’s strategic priorities for the telecoms sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the potential impact of Openreach pricing on the Government’s strategic priorities for the telecoms sector.

Inflation measures the change in prices over time. Find the latest data on changes in UK consumer prices, measured by CPI and RPI.

Inflation measures the change in prices over time. Find the latest data on changes in UK consumer prices, measured by CPI and RPI.

To ask His Majesty’s Government how they intend to fund the proposed removal of VAT from electricity bills.

To ask His Majesty’s Government how they intend to fund the proposed removal of VAT from electricity bills.

My Lords, before I respond to the noble Lord’s Question, I just put on record my appreciation for the work that my noble friend Lord Livermore has done for both the Government and the Treasury in this House. I know that he will be missed at the Dispatch Box. I am sure that noble Lords also want to thank my noble friend Lord Stockwood, whom I have had the pleasure of supporting on the Financial Services and Markets Bill. I wish them both well for the future.

In response to the noble Lord’s Question, on Tuesday the Government announced immediate action to cut VAT on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space on the cost of living. This measure is estimated to cost about £850 million in 2026-27, which will be funded by the cancellation of the digital ID programme, which was expected to cost £1.8 billion over three years. The effect of this change will ensure that we help those people who are most in need.

My Lords, before I respond to the noble Lord’s Question, I just put on record my appreciation for the work that my noble friend Lord Livermore has done for both the Government and the Treasury in this House. I know that he will be missed at the Dispatch Box. I am sure that noble Lords also want to thank my noble friend Lord Stockwood, whom I have had the pleasure of supporting on the Financial Services and Markets Bill. I wish them both well for the future.

In response to the noble Lord’s Question, on Tuesday the Government announced immediate action to cut VAT on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space on the cost of living. This measure is estimated to cost about £850 million in 2026-27, which will be funded by the cancellation of the digital ID programme, which was expected to cost £1.8 billion over three years. The effect of this change will ensure that we help those people who are most in need.

My Lords, if I may add to those comments, I too will miss the noble Lord, Lord Livermore, on the Front Bench. We did not agree on everything, but he certainly knew his facts and had passion and commitment when he spoke. However, the Starmer Government’s pessimism fabricated a black hole; this Government’s hubristic approach is creating a black hole. We have no real details of how these giveaways will be funded. There is talk of a grant being turned into a loan. We do not know the covenant of that loan, or the interest on it and when it will be payable. Can the Minister assure us that during the summer there will not be any further unfunded giveaways but, rather, that these types of announcements will take place properly, in the Budget, as they are supposed to do, to allow for proper scrutiny by both Houses and, equally importantly, by the OBR?

My Lords, if I may add to those comments, I too will miss the noble Lord, Lord Livermore, on the Front Bench. We did not agree on everything, but he certainly knew his facts and had passion and commitment when he spoke. However, the Starmer Government’s pessimism fabricated a black hole; this Government’s hubristic approach is creating a black hole. We have no real details of how these giveaways will be funded. There is talk of a grant being turned into a loan. We do not know the covenant of that loan, or the interest on it and when it will be payable. Can the Minister assure us that during the summer there will not be any further unfunded giveaways but, rather, that these types of announcements will take place properly, in the Budget, as they are supposed to do, to allow for proper scrutiny by both Houses and, equally importantly, by the OBR?

The priority of this Government is the cost of living. We want to bring the cost of living down to give people breathing space over the coming years. The OBR stated that we were due to spend £1.8 billion over the next three years on digital ID, funded from within existing settlements through reprioritisation. We are still going to find that money from within existing budgets through reprioritisation, but we will now use it for other things. The amount of money is relatively small when you consider that the last Government, as my noble friend Lord Livermore would say, left this Government with a £22 billion black hole.

The priority of this Government is the cost of living. We want to bring the cost of living down to give people breathing space over the coming years. The OBR stated that we were due to spend £1.8 billion over the next three years on digital ID, funded from within existing settlements through reprioritisation. We are still going to find that money from within existing budgets through reprioritisation, but we will now use it for other things. The amount of money is relatively small when you consider that the last Government, as my noble friend Lord Livermore would say, left this Government with a £22 billion black hole.

My Lords, may I take a moment to welcome the noble Baroness, Lady Curran, and thank the outgoing noble Lord, Lord Whitehead? We look forward to his continuing contributions. We support this measure. As a day-one action, it is welcome—it will save about £40 off a typical fuel bill for about six months—but as a policy lever of government, it is costly and ineffective. What further action will the new Administration take to remove policy costs from electricity bills to help support further energy market reforms? They are the real policy levers we need so that we can make progress on reducing bills and continuing the energy transition.

My Lords, may I take a moment to welcome the noble Baroness, Lady Curran, and thank the outgoing noble Lord, Lord Whitehead? We look forward to his continuing contributions. We support this measure. As a day-one action, it is welcome—it will save about £40 off a typical fuel bill for about six months—but as a policy lever of government, it is costly and ineffective. What further action will the new Administration take to remove policy costs from electricity bills to help support further energy market reforms? They are the real policy levers we need so that we can make progress on reducing bills and continuing the energy transition.

I echo the noble Earl’s comments about my noble friends Lady Curran and Lord Whitehead. I worked closely with them both. The issue of future help for the energy market et cetera is something we will have to wait for until we do the Budget next year. In the meantime, we will continue to help people with the cost of living. I want to point out the measures we have taken that will help people in the short term: we have frozen rail fares, cut energy bills by £150, cut VAT on electricity bills to zero and we are cutting business rates for 32,000 small venues, pubs and clubs. Obviously, that is not a silver bullet, but the intent is there to do everything we can to help people who are suffering.

I echo the noble Earl’s comments about my noble friends Lady Curran and Lord Whitehead. I worked closely with them both. The issue of future help for the energy market et cetera is something we will have to wait for until we do the Budget next year. In the meantime, we will continue to help people with the cost of living. I want to point out the measures we have taken that will help people in the short term: we have frozen rail fares, cut energy bills by £150, cut VAT on electricity bills to zero and we are cutting business rates for 32,000 small venues, pubs and clubs. Obviously, that is not a silver bullet, but the intent is there to do everything we can to help people who are suffering.

My Lords, the last Conservative Government, in their dying days, made a number of high-profile announcements on carbon capture, usage and storage, nuclear financing and hydrogen production. However, when the Treasury carried out its initial

spending audit, it found from the capital allocation maps that it did not possess the cash required to hit the legal and infrastructural targets and rollout timetables necessary to fulfil those commitments. Does the Minister agree with me that a little more self-reflection and humility on that side would not go amiss?

My Lords, the last Conservative Government, in their dying days, made a number of high-profile announcements on carbon capture, usage and storage, nuclear financing and hydrogen production. However, when the Treasury carried out its initial

spending audit, it found from the capital allocation maps that it did not possess the cash required to hit the legal and infrastructural targets and rollout timetables necessary to fulfil those commitments. Does the Minister agree with me that a little more self-reflection and humility on that side would not go amiss?

I remind my noble friend that they left us with a black hole of £22 billion. Among other matters, there was £2.6 billion of new unfunded policy announcements, £6.4 billion for asylum and illegal migration, which was not funded, and £9.4 billion for pay awards, which was not funded. We need to find a few hundred million pounds to help the people most in need. I think that they should reflect on what they did in government.

I remind my noble friend that they left us with a black hole of £22 billion. Among other matters, there was £2.6 billion of new unfunded policy announcements, £6.4 billion for asylum and illegal migration, which was not funded, and £9.4 billion for pay awards, which was not funded. We need to find a few hundred million pounds to help the people most in need. I think that they should reflect on what they did in government.

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My Lords, any easing of the cost of living is to be welcomed. However, the Minister will be aware that the VAT reduction cannot be directly applied to Northern Ireland because of the rules of the Windsor Framework and the arrangements with the European Union. At best, we will have a situation in which a convoluted alternative route will have to be found, which clearly will lead at least to delays for consumers in Northern Ireland receiving any level of help. As this points to the need for a much deeper and longer-term solution, what action are the Government taking in the short term at least to get a derogation from the EU, so that Northern Ireland consumers can enjoy the same benefits as those in the rest of the United Kingdom?

My Lords, any easing of the cost of living is to be welcomed. However, the Minister will be aware that the VAT reduction cannot be directly applied to Northern Ireland because of the rules of the Windsor Framework and the arrangements with the European Union. At best, we will have a situation in which a convoluted alternative route will have to be found, which clearly will lead at least to delays for consumers in Northern Ireland receiving any level of help. As this points to the need for a much deeper and longer-term solution, what action are the Government taking in the short term at least to get a derogation from the EU, so that Northern Ireland consumers can enjoy the same benefits as those in the rest of the United Kingdom?

We know the issues around VAT in Northern Ireland, for example on electricity bills. The Northern Ireland Executive will receive comparable funding to enable them to support NI households with the cost of living. We have taken into consideration all the issues around the Windsor Framework, and we will continue to help the people most in need who live in Northern Ireland.

We know the issues around VAT in Northern Ireland, for example on electricity bills. The Northern Ireland Executive will receive comparable funding to enable them to support NI households with the cost of living. We have taken into consideration all the issues around the Windsor Framework, and we will continue to help the people most in need who live in Northern Ireland.

My Lords, I, too, send my best wishes to the noble Lords, Lord Livermore and Lord Stockwood. I welcome the appointment of the noble Lord, Lord Pitt-Watson, and look forward to the more constructive approach favoured by the new Prime Minister. With 10-year yields above 5%, political and international instability is already increasing borrowing costs and placing the sustainability of the public finances under serious strain. Does the Minister recognise that unfunded spending commitments cannot simply be floated in the press or on podcasts

without consequences? Markets react, investment and growth are discouraged, and working people ultimately pay the price, with increases in the cost of living.

My Lords, I, too, send my best wishes to the noble Lords, Lord Livermore and Lord Stockwood. I welcome the appointment of the noble Lord, Lord Pitt-Watson, and look forward to the more constructive approach favoured by the new Prime Minister. With 10-year yields above 5%, political and international instability is already increasing borrowing costs and placing the sustainability of the public finances under serious strain. Does the Minister recognise that unfunded spending commitments cannot simply be floated in the press or on podcasts

without consequences? Markets react, investment and growth are discouraged, and working people ultimately pay the price, with increases in the cost of living.

I echo the noble Baroness’s comments about my noble friend Lord Pitt-Watson, who will be the new Minister, taking over imminently—after this Question, I hope. The Government are well aware of the international situation we have in the Middle East and Ukraine; we know about the issues that we face. I do not believe the announcements being made are unfunded; we are finding the money to face up to the problems that ordinary people around the country are facing. I repeat the facts again: £9.4 billion of unfunded pay awards and £2.6 billion of new unfunded policy announcements by the last Government. What we are doing pales into insignificance compared to the debt they left the country in.

I echo the noble Baroness’s comments about my noble friend Lord Pitt-Watson, who will be the new Minister, taking over imminently—after this Question, I hope. The Government are well aware of the international situation we have in the Middle East and Ukraine; we know about the issues that we face. I do not believe the announcements being made are unfunded; we are finding the money to face up to the problems that ordinary people around the country are facing. I repeat the facts again: £9.4 billion of unfunded pay awards and £2.6 billion of new unfunded policy announcements by the last Government. What we are doing pales into insignificance compared to the debt they left the country in.

My Lords, is it not a fact that we may raise any funds we need by having further work done on VAT? Does the Minister welcome the review announced on 23 June to extend online marketplace VAT liability examinations? Perhaps we might also explore the growing amount of money being made by social media companies that are moving away from social media into auctioning and businesses such as that, where there is potential for tax to be raised. Perhaps we might have a debate in this House where we can invite all to participate, come up with ideas and examine those areas that need examining, so that we have some fairness in the tax system.

My Lords, is it not a fact that we may raise any funds we need by having further work done on VAT? Does the Minister welcome the review announced on 23 June to extend online marketplace VAT liability examinations? Perhaps we might also explore the growing amount of money being made by social media companies that are moving away from social media into auctioning and businesses such as that, where there is potential for tax to be raised. Perhaps we might have a debate in this House where we can invite all to participate, come up with ideas and examine those areas that need examining, so that we have some fairness in the tax system.

I thank my noble friend for that question. The future of VAT is a pressing issue, as is what we intend to do with those online entities that may be exempt from it. This is continuously under review, but I think we will need to wait for the Budget to see what changes we will have.

I thank my noble friend for that question. The future of VAT is a pressing issue, as is what we intend to do with those online entities that may be exempt from it. This is continuously under review, but I think we will need to wait for the Budget to see what changes we will have.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rise in the price of tungsten is impacting the UK defence industry.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rise in the price of tungsten is impacting the UK defence industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on (a) household costs through higher retail prices, (b) food price inflation and (c) business costs for (i) small and medium-sized enterprises and...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on (a) household costs through higher retail prices, (b) food price inflation and (c) business costs for (i) small and medium-sized enterprises and...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Nuclear Regulated Asset Base levy on registered charities and non-profit community organisations; and what steps he is taking to support these organisations in the context of increasing...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Nuclear Regulated Asset Base levy on registered charities and non-profit community organisations; and what steps he is taking to support these organisations in the context of increasing...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the potential impact of the RIIO-3 Transmission Network Use of System charges on the charitable sector; and if he will consider the potential merits of extending energy-intensive exemptions or relief...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the potential impact of the RIIO-3 Transmission Network Use of System charges on the charitable sector; and if he will consider the potential merits of extending energy-intensive exemptions or relief...

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase energy security and lower energy costs; and what assessment they have made as to the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on domestic energy bills.

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase energy security and lower energy costs; and what assessment they have made as to the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on domestic energy bills.

The government has today announced immediate action to cut VAT on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space on the cost of living.

Domestic electricity is currently subject to the reduced rate of VAT (5%). From October 1, in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap, a zero...

The government has today announced immediate action to cut VAT on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space on the cost of living.

Domestic electricity is currently subject to the reduced rate of VAT (5%). From October 1, in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap, a zero...

This Library briefing gives an overview of how the profits from North Sea oil and gas production are taxed, and how the fiscal regime has been reformed in recent years.

This Library briefing gives an overview of how the profits from North Sea oil and gas production are taxed, and how the fiscal regime has been reformed in recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support British cement producers with their energy costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support British cement producers with their energy costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help support families with the cost of infant formula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help support families with the cost of infant formula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the financial impact on community pharmacies of the current reimbursement and price cap arrangements for prescription medicines; and if he will review cases where pharmacies are required to dispense medicines at a loss...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the financial impact on community pharmacies of the current reimbursement and price cap arrangements for prescription medicines; and if he will review cases where pharmacies are required to dispense medicines at a loss...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to (a) provide guidance to veterinary practices on the pricing of Animal Health Certificates and (b) introduce regulations on the price levels for Animal Health Certificates set by veterinary practices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to (a) provide guidance to veterinary practices on the pricing of Animal Health Certificates and (b) introduce regulations on the price levels for Animal Health Certificates set by veterinary practices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14939 on Large Goods Vehicles: Electric Vehicles, what use cases her Department considered when assessing the purchase price differential between diesel heavy goods vehicles and equivalent zero-emission heavy goods vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14939 on Large Goods Vehicles: Electric Vehicles, what use cases her Department considered when assessing the purchase price differential between diesel heavy goods vehicles and equivalent zero-emission heavy goods vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered the potential merits of publishing an impact assessment for the US-UK Arrangement on Pharmaceuticals Pricing and Tariffs in which commercially sensitive material is redacted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered the potential merits of publishing an impact assessment for the US-UK Arrangement on Pharmaceuticals Pricing and Tariffs in which commercially sensitive material is redacted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the terms and conditions attached to smart meter tariff benefits, including off-peak and free supply offers, are communicated transparently to consumers at the point of sign-up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the terms and conditions attached to smart meter tariff benefits, including off-peak and free supply offers, are communicated transparently to consumers at the point of sign-up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which energy providers are requiring smart meter customers to vary their usage patterns as a condition of accessing advertised tariff benefits; and what consumer protections are in place...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which energy providers are requiring smart meter customers to vary their usage patterns as a condition of accessing advertised tariff benefits; and what consumer protections are in place...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of smart meter rollout on higher usage customers, including retired and elderly consumers; and what steps his Department has taken to help support customers with higher domestic energy...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of smart meter rollout on higher usage customers, including retired and elderly consumers; and what steps his Department has taken to help support customers with higher domestic energy...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to protect heating oil customers from market volatility and price rises through the creation of a regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to protect heating oil customers from market volatility and price rises through the creation of a regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers.

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. The summer is a great time for families to create lasting memories, but it can also be an expensive time. Locally, I am hosting a free community advice drop-in event, bringing together local advice organisations. Fellow residents can come by to find out...

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. The summer is a great time for families to create lasting memories, but it can also be an expensive time. Locally, I am hosting a free community advice drop-in event, bringing together local advice organisations. Fellow residents can come by to find out...

Madam Deputy Speaker, let me join you in saying happy birthday to my hon. Friend. I join her in thanking those providing important services and advice in our local communities. We recognise that summer can be a challenging time, not just because of the heat but because of increased costs....

Madam Deputy Speaker, let me join you in saying happy birthday to my hon. Friend. I join her in thanking those providing important services and advice in our local communities. We recognise that summer can be a challenging time, not just because of the heat but because of increased costs....

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reforms...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reforms...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rail ticket prices on commuters travelling from Fleet, Winchfield and Hook to London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rail ticket prices on commuters travelling from Fleet, Winchfield and Hook to London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of trends in house prices in the North West.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of trends in house prices in the North West.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, these draft regulations were laid before the House on 8 June and, in case noble Lords think we are suffering from a small dose of déjà vu, similar regulations, which we debated at the time, were laid months ago for reasons that I will come to in a...

My Lords, these draft regulations were laid before the House on 8 June and, in case noble Lords think we are suffering from a small dose of déjà vu, similar regulations, which we debated at the time, were laid months ago for reasons that I will come to in a...

I thank the Minister for presenting the regulations before us. I express the hope that he stays in his position, as indeed does the Whip. We do not like changes in the House of Lords.

I will make a couple of comments. Eons ago, I served as the shadow Environment Minister...

I thank the Minister for presenting the regulations before us. I express the hope that he stays in his position, as indeed does the Whip. We do not like changes in the House of Lords.

I will make a couple of comments. Eons ago, I served as the shadow Environment Minister...

I think that, in fact, our government lectern is higher than the opposition lectern.

I think that, in fact, our government lectern is higher than the opposition lectern.

For very good reason.

For very good reason.

As we are all about the same height at this end, we do not need it. We should not worry about that.

Can the noble Lord write to me—I have asked this on more than one occasion—to tell me whether he, the department and the Government are inclined to look into...

As we are all about the same height at this end, we do not need it. We should not worry about that.

Can the noble Lord write to me—I have asked this on more than one occasion—to tell me whether he, the department and the Government are inclined to look into...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the way in which he introduced these regulations. It is almost like double déjà vu because we have considered the Northern Ireland regulations and we considered these ones very recently. We had a good debate on them last time, so I will be...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the way in which he introduced these regulations. It is almost like double déjà vu because we have considered the Northern Ireland regulations and we considered these ones very recently. We had a good debate on them last time, so I will be...

My Lords, I declare my interest as chairman of both Amey and of Acteon subsea engineering company, which works on offshore wind and oil and gas around the world, and as chairman of Buckthorn Partners, all of which are involved with energy transition.

I am very grateful to the Minister for...

My Lords, I declare my interest as chairman of both Amey and of Acteon subsea engineering company, which works on offshore wind and oil and gas around the world, and as chairman of Buckthorn Partners, all of which are involved with energy transition.

I am very grateful to the Minister for...

My Lords, I apologise for the interruption due to the vote. I was simply going to give the Committee one example of the consequences of overreliance on renewables.

On 23 June this year, NESO, the National Energy System Operator, faced severe supply constraints caused by high electricity demand for cooling during...

My Lords, I apologise for the interruption due to the vote. I was simply going to give the Committee one example of the consequences of overreliance on renewables.

On 23 June this year, NESO, the National Energy System Operator, faced severe supply constraints caused by high electricity demand for cooling during...

I thank noble Lords for their constructive contributions and hope they will forgive me if I do not tarry too long in my closing speech and try to give a detailed response to everything that has been put forward. They are all very valid points but, among other things, we...