Speeches by Mathew.

“Melita, over to you. I have a string of questions for you. We have heard throughout this inquiry that UK aid has had a positive impact on improving energy access for local communities. Would you agree with this assessment?”

“I can follow with the next question. If you recommend UK aid focuses on areas of relative strength, is energy access one of those priority areas?”

“Out of interest, do you look at biogas at all?”

“Juliette, how does the Shell Foundation define clean energy? What is included under this term?”

“A related one. To what extent are cheap solar systems available in the communities—Chinese or whatever manufacture—now that people are purchasing making community-run things less relevant?”

“Melita, over to you. I have a string of questions for you. We have heard throughout this inquiry that UK aid has had a positive impact on improving energy access for local communities. Would you agree with this assessment?”

“I can follow with the next question. If you recommend UK aid focuses on areas of relative strength, is energy access one of those priority areas?”

“In a nutshell, what challenges or shortcomings have you observed in how UK aid approaches energy access?”

“Right, there are lots of questions. You have raised concerns that UK aid does not always sufficiently support local participation and ownership. Can you provide examples where this has been an issue in energy-related initiatives?”

“A related one. To what extent are cheap solar systems available in the communities—Chinese or whatever manufacture—now that people are purchasing making community-run things less relevant?”

“I seem to remember, it was two cows, zero grazed, would give you enough biogas for a family.”

“I have two more questions for Juliette. This is where I play bad cop, so apologies for that. Is it correct to say that FCDO donations are supporting fossil fuel projects or investments?”

“I seem to remember, it was two cows, zero grazed, would give you enough biogas for a family.”

“Ed, how is clean energy defined in the context of your programme?”

“In a nutshell, what challenges or shortcomings have you observed in how UK aid approaches energy access?”

“Right, there are lots of questions. You have raised concerns that UK aid does not always sufficiently support local participation and ownership. Can you provide examples where this has been an issue in energy-related initiatives?”

“Fascinating. So, I will just say no more questions, your Honour.”

“Thank you. That is good and nice to know. That is a one-word answer for that one. Secondly, considering the scale of Shell group’s carbon emissions, how does the Foundation respond to concerns that it has worked among greenwashing?”

“8. What assessment he has made of the contribution of water, sanitation and hygiene projects to achieving the Government’s international development objectives.”

“Recent polling by WaterAid and YouGov shows that access to water, sanitation and hygiene is the No. 1 priority that the UK public want to see funded through UK aid. That makes sense, given that water underpins global health, keeps girls in school and builds climate-resilient communities. Does the Minister agree that it…”