Contributions
4,729 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe noble Lord is correct about the target that we have set. I mentioned the boiler upgrade scheme starting next year. We also have changes to the building regulations, as…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe noble Lord is correct that energy efficiency is extremely important. It is very much a “no regrets” approach; we should always take a fabric-first approach to upgrading…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe legislation has, of course, already been passed by this House to make net zero legally binding, but extensive impact and cost-benefit analyses were done at the time.07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsWe are working closely with industry to work up the offers we have to householders, as well as the myriad government schemes targeting mainly low-income families: the £800 million…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe noble Lord is correct about the timescale for taking a decision on hydrogen. It is not yet a mature technology in terms of whether it would be available in sufficient…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe noble Lord links together two important facets of this work: the importance of getting on with building new nuclear capacity, which I think is widely recognised, and the…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsI am sure people did not vote to have their living standards reduced. Indeed, we have an excellent record of both decarbonising and growing the GDP per head of population. We have…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe new building regulations for net-zero homes will take effect from 2025, but of course we are not waiting that long to take action. The new Part Z of the building regulations…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsThe noble Lord makes a very good point. We need to look at embodied carbon much more closely. Indeed, I attended and launched a session on exactly that at the COP climate change…07 Dec 2021HANSARDNet-zero EmissionsMy Lords, to meet net zero, virtually all heat in buildings will need to be decarbonised. The net-zero strategy outlines that we expect that emissions could fall by between 25%…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsThe answer is yes. We have already established a formal payment period for contracts for public authorities.07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsWe do not just set up a review body; we have a consultation, as we are obliged to for all legislative proposals. It is important to get responses from all concerned. I have had…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsMy noble friend is tempting me to get into dictionary definitions and semantics. As he well knows, I cannot give a precise timescale for the processes of government, but we are…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsWe have a newly appointed Small Business Commissioner who is cracking on with the job. She is currently in discussion with my department about the resourcing that she requires. As…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsThis is a priority for the Government —there are lots of priorities for the Government at the moment. The new powers that we consulted on include compelling the disclosure of…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsThat is a very good suggestion. I certainly will do that.07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsI would never say that the noble Lord has been in Parliament too long. We need more representatives from the north-east in Parliament, for as long as possible—says he in a…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsThe noble Earl makes a good point. I remind him that UK legislation already establishes a 60-day maximum payment term for contracts for the supply of goods and services between…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsI apologise to my noble friend, but I did not quite catch all of his question. This is a serious problem. The Small Business Commissioner is newly appointed, and she is still…07 Dec 2021HANSARDSmall Business Commissioner: Late PaymentsThe noble Lord makes a good point, and I very much sympathise with his concern. However, we received a lot of replies to the consultation and are currently working through the…07 Dec 2021