Andrew Bowie MP: written questions
382 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Natural Gas: StorageDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24665More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase the UK’s gas storage capacity.
Answer: The diversity of Great Britain’s sources of gas supply means we are less reliant on natural gas storage than European counterparts. The Government recognises the value in having natural gas storage facilities in place as a source of balancing system flexi...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNatural Gas: StorageDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the UK’s gas storage levels were in each month since July 2024.
Answer: The system operator National Gas monitors gas storage stock levels. They publish storage stock level data on their website, it can be found here: https://data.nationalgas.com/.
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordElectricity InterconnectorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to increase the number of interconnectors with other countries.
Answer: The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan outlines our approach to delivering a clean electricity system, including our approach to electricity interconnectors. It expects 12-14GW of electricity interconnection by 2030, up from the 9.8GW currently installed. Under...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordElectricity: ImportsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the quantity in GWh of electricity imports there will be in each year until 2035.
Answer: Annex O of the Energy and Emission Projections presents Net Zero consistent scenarios for the power sector, including annual net imports. [1] (Gross imports and exports are not published). These scenarios indicate that the GB power sector will shift from ...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordGreat British EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20239More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is planning to take to ensure that Great British Energy will work in collaboration with (a) the National Wealth Fund and (b) Great British Nuclear.
Answer: Initially, while it is established, we expect Great British Energy’s (GBE) investment activity to be undertaken by the National Wealth Fund (NWF). This will enable GBE to invest quickly and draw on the NWF's experience and pipeline of projects. As GBE sca...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: Supply ChainsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18596More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for announcing Green Industries Growth Accelerator grants.
Answer: The Government recognises the need for strong, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support sustainable jobs and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy. As part of the of next year’s Industrial Strategy, the Government is developing plans, aligne...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: Supply ChainsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on the Green Industries Growth Accelerator programme.
Answer: The Government recognises the need for strong, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support sustainable jobs and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy. As part of the of next year’s Industrial Strategy, the Government is developing plans, aligne...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Fusion and Small Modular ReactorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) invest in nuclear fusion and (b) expand the use of small modular nuclear reactors.
Answer: At the Autumn Budget the Government announced significant support in 2025-26 for UK fusion energy research, to build on the UK’s position as a global leader in fusion energy. On small modular reactors (SMRs), the government welcomes the opportunity for SM...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Power StationsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to extend the operation of existing nuclear power plants beyond 2030.
Answer: EDF have recently announced extensions to the Advance Gas-cooled Reactor nuclear power stations. Heysham 1 and Hartlepool are now expected to operate until March 2027 and Heysham 2 and Torness are now expected to operate until March 2030. Sizewell B is cu...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNorth Lincolnshire Green Energy ParkDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to construct grid connections for North Lincolnshire Energy Park.
Answer: Northern Powergrid (NPg) and National Grid Electricity Transmission are responsible for the construction of the connections. I understand from NPg that the connection infrastructure is expected to be completed in 2027. Energisation dates will be specific ...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSizewell C Power StationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18591More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to construct grid connections for Sizewell C.
Answer: The policy position outlined in the National Energy System Operator (“NESO”) open letter [https://www.neso.energy/document/349496/download] (published 10th December 2024) indicates that, given Sizewell C received planning consent in July 2022, the existin...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLiquefied Natural Gas: ImportsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the requirement for imported Liquified Natural Gas in each year between 2025 and 2030.
Answer: We expect UK gas demand to continue declining as we make Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerate to net zero. While the Department routinely assesses a range of factors that could impact future energy security, we do not hold departmental estimat...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAmbulance Services: ScotlandDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17858More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of 999 calls that were made in Scotland and handled by an Ambulance Service in England and Wales since 2020.
Answer: The information requested is not held by the Department.
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordTrade Promotion: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13463More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to support Brand Scotland.
Answer: I am proud to champion Scotland’s interests globally through Brand Scotland. I have just returned from a successful visit to Norway and will be visiting South East Asia next week to promote Scottish trade, investment, and culture. Following the announceme...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWhisky: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13462More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to increase the value of exports of Scotch whisky per year.
Answer: Food and drink is a key strength of Scotland’s, and the Scotland Office and Department for Business and Trade are working closely on a range of shared priorities to increase the value of numerous Scottish exports. Scotch whisky exports are being champione...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordVeterans: Radiation ExposureMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the review of the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal was completed in time for Nuclear Test Veterans to receive their medal before Remembrance Day.
Answer: The review of Nuclear Test Medal eligibility was conducted at pace. The expanded qualifying criteria were ratified by the Honours and Decorations Committee and approved by His Majesty The King on 6 November 2024. Those who directly supported the American ...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: LabellingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13223More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure clear labelling of (a) locally produced fruit and vegetables and (b) imported produce.
Answer: The UK maintains high standards on the information provided on food labels and packaging so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. This applies equally to food that is domestically produced or imported. The fundamental principles of...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the changes made to inheritance tax at the Autumn Budget 2024 on the financial viability of small family farms in the north east o
Answer: This Government inherited a £22 billion in year black hole in the nation’s finances. The action we are taking in this Budget restores economic stability so we can invest in the future. The government recognises that people want to pass on their assets to ...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordInheritance Tax: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the impact of changes to inheritance tax on the Scottish economy.
Answer: Despite a massive £22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances that this Government inherited, the Scottish Government will receive a record £47.7 billion settlement in 2025/26 - the largest in real terms in the history of devolution.This includes addi...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordExports: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13012More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote (a) Scotch whisky exports and (b) other Scottish exports.
Answer: The recent budget saw the Scotland Office awarded 750 thousand pounds to expand its international trade activities and establish the Brand Scotland initiative.Brand Scotland funding will support industry via trade missions, projects delivered by the overs...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWhisky: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the scotch whisky industry on barriers to business.
Answer: I meet regularly with the Scotch Whisky industry, and am pleased we can work closely on a range of shared priorities to support growth in the sector.
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWhisky: Excise DutiesScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase in alcohol duty on scotch whisky exports.
Answer: 90% of Scotch Whisky is already exported and therefore pays no duty. Increases on duty are in line with inflation and under the previous Government, duty was increased by 10.1% following the duty review.
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWhisky: Excise DutiesScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in the duty on non-draught alcohol on levels of employment in the scotch whisky industry.
Answer: Despite the previous government increasing duty by 10.1%, the Scotch Whisky industry employs 11,000 people directly in Scotland, 7,000 of whom work in rural areas. In addition, the industry supports a further 42,000 jobs across the UK, 36,000 of which are...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWhisky: Excise DutiesScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases on the duty for non-draught alcohol on the scotch whisky industry.
Answer: The overall alcohol package within the recent Budget balances commercial pressure on the alcohol industry with the need to raise revenue to address the £22 Billion blackhole caused by the decisions of the previous government. Increases on duty are in line...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordScotch Whisky AssociationScotland OfficeTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12961More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he next plans to meet the Scotch Whisky Association.
Answer: I have had several meetings with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in recent months, including during my first week in office, and am pleased to be working closely with them on a range of shared priorities. I will be driving growth in Scotland around th...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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