Speeches by White.

“What a brilliant question. We have not really touched on nuclear. We are very fortunate to have Patrick Vallance as our nuclear Minister, who is doing a fabulous job of championing nuclear. We have a renaissance in nuclear. We are pushing on different fronts to make sure that, as part of our clean energy mix and also a…”

“I will look forward to that. In terms of the skills, you raise a really good point. We all want to learn from what has happened in the past when we have had energy transitions. We all know that the scars of those transitions are still on many communities up and down our country. We want to learn and not have any of tho…”

“That is a really good challenge. I was using the North sea as an example of where there will be energy systems still being used. It is a different form of energy. In Aberdeen it is whether it is going from oil to offshore wind and you have those pontoons side by side at the same time. It is how we can make sure that th…”

“We are in a very active conversation at all times. We have a Government mission, but how to deliver that will be a co-creation to make sure we can do that. Ryan, I defer to you on whether there have been any practical differences, or whether it is a sentiment change, to the Chair’s point on ensuring consultation with l…”

“I think climate change and biodiversity loss are two sides of the same coin. Many people have said that before, but clearly there is a strong integration—there is a symbiotic relationship, in many ways, between those two things. When we came into Government, there was a complaint from stakeholders that we were not work…”

“Absolutely; but, as I say, I have already witnessed an improvement. That was under way before I joined the Department. There is definitely more to do, but I have already witnessed an improvement in us working collaboratively.”

“It is a really good point. You talk about electric vehicles: we are now in a system where, if you are on the right tariffs and with the right technology, you can take advantage of those opportunities. We are exploring at pace how we can bring those opportunities and advantages to as many people as possible.”

“There are different elements. One is digital accessibility with some people more able to use the interface. As you say, we should be making sure that we have the technology in homes, but also that they have the right infrastructure and equipment. There are multiple levels to how we do that. We are looking at how to do …”

“As it stands, we obviously focus on our three campaigns: electric vehicles—I am sure you have seen that, but thankfully they did not ask me to do it; I do not know whether you have seen the hair option, but it is quite extravagant, shall we say—heat pumps and energy efficiency. They are targeted on areas where we reall…”

“A lot of these are micro-targeted. We are looking at different demographics. When looking at energy efficiency saving up £150 off your bills, we are going for more vulnerable groups, older people, people with young families and people with disabilities. We are looking at where we need to target those most effectively. …”

“People either believe that Britain is important and has an impact in the world or they do not. I am in the former camp; I think that Britain has an impact in the world. The impact of our behaviour is far greater than the amount of our emissions. We sit on the UN Security Council. When we introduced the Climate Change A…”

“You make a really good point. One of the mistakes that has been made in the past is that there has been an assumption that almost people would start at low-level green action and then would work their way up. Most people are completely overwhelmed, have very limited time and want to know very quickly, “What is the one …”

“I think there are some people who are peddling climate “misinformation” or are trying to make this an argument. The people who are peddling this are back-pedalling British interests, I would say, and I am curious as to why they are doing that. But the vast majority of people—certainly the business leaders I talk to—are…”

“Yes. Some have come out and said—you will see some of them in the media—they are doing this for business reasons and because of their own concerns. We also work on the Net Zero Council and we have a number of business leaders on that. When some of them spoke, I wished I could have filmed them and put that out. I have s…”

“Totally.”

“My first answer is to listen. Often it is about listening to what people’s genuine concerns are. Sometimes there are genuine concerns, and we should listen to those genuine concerns and make sure that we are meeting them. Otherwise, sometimes it is about reassurance. As you say, who is the right messenger? It will depe…”

“Exactly.”

“Absolutely. I have thoroughly enjoyed being at this session because it is making me check all my ideas. Under this Government—I pay tribute to what the previous Government did; we should always take pride in what has happened—we have had far more active engagement from the unions. Whether that is about workforce planni…”

“It is a really good point. You talk about electric vehicles: we are now in a system where, if you are on the right tariffs and with the right technology, you can take advantage of those opportunities. We are exploring at pace how we can bring those opportunities and advantages to as many people as possible.”

“For sure. I am the Minister for Climate Action, since September. I am responsible for net zero strategy, the carbon budget, green finance and international climate change.”