Speeches by Reader.

“To what extent have high retail prices reflected the wholesale costs? To what extent have they been reflected by additional margins and profit in the supply chain, with your retailers taking the public frustration because of that hitting the supply chain?”

“Is that something that your organisation should focus on, given the price gouging we have seen from some retailers?”

“Are we looking in the wrong place? We have had some evidence around excessive margins and profit-making in the supply chain rather than from the retailers themselves. Are the retailers the fall guys for others making excess profits in the supply chain?”

“Does that code of conduct include transparency over profits in the retail sector?”

“These are perhaps two different crises for petrol retailers. Finally for you, Gordon, if you were making recommendations to Government on how we improve resilience in the sector that you work in, what would those recommendations be?”

“In your opinion, would investment in gas and electricity storage—you can decide which you answer—improve the UK’s resilience and reduce our reliance on overseas imports?”

“Are there any other comments on whether we should be investing more in storage for resilience?”

“What amount of energy storage does the UK currently hold, and how does this compare internationally?”

“Are we looking in the wrong place? We have had some evidence around excessive margins and profit-making in the supply chain rather than from the retailers themselves. Are the retailers the fall guys for others making excess profits in the supply chain?”

“Does that code of conduct include transparency over profits in the retail sector?”

“Does the Secretary of State share my concern, or dismay, perhaps, that at a time when families are concerned about the cost of energy and the price at the pumps, the Conservatives have become obsessed with oil and gas licensing and not taking any action at all to reduce bills?”

“I have found this debate quite fascinating. What nonsense from the Conservatives! We are watching a party rip itself up as it worries about more defections to Reform, and Conservative Back Benchers parrot the lines of their Front Benchers. We know from media coverage that the Conservatives are promoting people to the F…”

“The discussion on fracking is perhaps one for another day. We have heard claims that there are billions of pounds to be invested, but in reality, when it comes to development, it is the public who pay the price. In some cases, taxpayers foot around 80% of the development bill. Modelling on Rosebank and ending the energ…”

“Will the hon. Member give way?”

“Will the Government learn from this scheme when developing support for less mature technologies in the future, to avoid creating new legacy costs for decades?”

“Do you think you could go further?”

“Would the Government consider a windfall tax on generators with ROCs as a reasonable alternative to taxpayers covering the costs or the breakeven of our contracts?”

“Let me move on to ROs. We had evidence, particularly after the autumn statement announcement. Can you foresee a time when it might be politically feasible to put the full cost of ROs back on to bills?”

“If the Department or Martin is setting these things up now, what was happening before?”

“He was invited to join us today.”