← Home
Hansard Social
Parliamentary Record
Michael Shanks
Current MP
Michael Shanks
· 2023–present
583 speeches on record Last active 10 Feb 2026
LAB · Labour
Large-scale Solar Projects: Community Engagement10 Feb 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
As we explained in our solar road map, the Government consider effective community engagement to be crucial as we scale-up solar deployment throughout the country. Developers must consider local community views as part of their applications, and the quality of that community engagement is taken into account by decision makers.
Hansard · 10 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
Electricity Distribution Network: Resilience10 Feb 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
Great Britain’s electricity distribution network is highly resilient and the Government work closely with industry to maintain that. Energy resilience is a top priority for the Government, which is why my Department will publish an energy resilience plan in 2026.
Hansard · 10 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
Nuclear Projects: Alternative Routes to Market10 Feb 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
On 4 February , the Government published the advanced nuclear framework, which establishes a pathway to market by introducing the UK advanced nuclear pipeline and clarifying the enabling policy landscape to unlock privately financed advanced nuclear projects in the UK, which is all part of our new golden age of nuclear power.
Hansard · 10 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions10 Feb 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend was at a Westminster Hall debate on this issue a few months ago, and what I said then remains the Government’s position: we work closely with the Welsh Government on this issue. We are content with the Welsh Government’s position that this area is already regulated and sufficient, but we obviously keep…
Hansard · 10 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
East Park Energy: North Bedfordshire27 Jan 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
I congratulate the hon. Member for North Bedfordshire (Richard Fuller) on securing the debate. Although I disagree with some of what he said, the tone of his remarks is welcome. I will respond to some of his points, but given the time I will not be able to respond to them all. On a general…
Hansard · 27 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Energy Transition6 Jan 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
Happy new year to you, Mr Speaker, and to colleagues across the House. I have temporarily lost hearing in one of my ears so if I am shouting or do not hear every detail of the questions, I apologise in advance. This Government are determined to strengthen our energy security by moving away from volatile…
Hansard · 6 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Power Cuts: Rural Areas6 Jan 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
Energy resilience is one of my top priorities and I understand the particular challenge in rural communities, which see more frequent power disruption. We work with industry and with Ofgem to ensure that sufficient investment is made into the rural power networks and that support is provided when power cuts occur. I thank all the…
Hansard · 6 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions6 Jan 2026
MS
Michael Shanks
Network companies have benefited in the past, but Ofgem has moved to correct that in the RIIO-3 price control period so that it cannot happen again. We are working with Ofgem every single day to ensure that we bear down on the costs of energy and that consumers benefit from cheaper bills as quickly as…
Hansard · 6 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Great British Energy: Public Services and Renewable Energy18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Thanks to the success of the initial scheme, Great British Energy is expanding the roll-out of solar panels for public services. Now, 50 more schools, 60 more NHS sites and 15 military sites will have their bills cut thanks to this Government, transferring money from the pockets of energy companies back into frontline services.
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Clean Energy Transition: New Nuclear Power18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
We are delivering the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation, overturning the legacy of the Conservatives, who failed to complete a single project in their 14 years in office. Just this week, we announced that the flagship small modular reactor project would be based in Wylfa, bringing thousands of jobs to north Wales and…
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Clean Power: Energy Sovereignty18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Clean power is the route to energy security and energy independence for the United Kingdom. For far too long, families have faced high energy bills thanks to our exposure to international fossil fuel markets over which we have no control. Through our clean power mission, we are ending that situation by rolling out clean, home-grown…
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Community Energy Projects18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Through Great British Energy’s local power plan, we are rolling out the biggest expansion of community energy for decades. We are supporting projects with funding through the community fund, and Great British Energy will also support communities to roll out small and medium-scale renewable energy projects by providing commercial, technical and project planning assistance. That…
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Large-scale Solar Farms18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Ministers in my Department have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of matters, including solar policy, but the large-scale solar projects that are given to the Secretary of State to make quasi-judicial planning decisions on are not part of such conversations. Solar power remains a hugely important part of our energy mix. It…
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Renewable Energy Sources: Funding18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Great British Energy and Great British Energy Nuclear will invest over £8.3 billion this Parliament in home-grown clean power. We will keep backing renewables through contracts for difference, which secured record amounts of solar and the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm last year. Allocation round 7 will build on this success, for which we…
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions18 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Minister for Climate are in Brazil at the conference of the parties, fighting for Britain’s interests in the global transition and playing our part in securing leadership on the climate crisis. Since our last oral questions session, we have announced that 250 schools will benefit…
Hansard · 18 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Power Station: Wylfa17 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I welcome the hon. Lady’s commitment to securing a new nuclear project in her constituency. She and I have had a number of discussions about nuclear power and other energy projects. Nuclear energy provides the stable low-carbon baseload we need to keep the lights on and to support our economy. It is central to our…
Hansard · 17 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
Energy12 Nov 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I thank all right hon. and hon. Members across the House for their contributions in this short but punchy debate this afternoon. This issue of how we build an energy system for the future has rightly become a huge political topic—a conversation not just in this House but much more in the public domain than…
Hansard · 12 Nov 2025 · parliament.uk
North Sea Oil and Gas Industry27 Oct 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The North sea will be at the heart of Britain’s energy future. For decades its workers, business and communities have helped to power our country and our world, and they will do so for decades to come. The oil and gas industry has lost around a third of its entire workforce in the last decade…
Hansard · 27 Oct 2025 · parliament.uk
Energy Infrastructure Applications: Land Use Changes14 Oct 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
We are delivering a strategic spatial energy plan to support a more actively planned approach to energy infrastructure. It will consider wider demands, including food production, water supply and nature recovery. The Departments for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Energy Security and Net Zero will ensure that the strategic spatial energy plan and…
Hansard · 14 Oct 2025 · parliament.uk
Grid Infrastructure14 Oct 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
We are building a resilient grid for the future after decades of under-investment. We are halving the development time for new transmission infrastructure, including through reforms to planning regulation and supply chains, and delivering the grid capacity needed to deliver clean power by 2030 and the economic growth that this country needs.
Hansard · 14 Oct 2025 · parliament.uk
Onshore Wind Turbines14 Oct 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The Government have published an onshore wind strategy to remove barriers to help companies build more onshore wind, with actions across several areas including planning, aviation, workforce and routes to market.
Hansard · 14 Oct 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions14 Oct 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I am happy to have further conversations with the hon. Gentleman. I know that the refinery is in his constituency and that he cares deeply about it. A process is under way—led by the official receiver, because it is an insolvency process. It is considering a number of bids to make sure they are viable,…
Hansard · 14 Oct 2025 · parliament.uk
Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery22 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
In my oral statement on 30 June , I informed Parliament of the deeply disappointing news that the Prax Lindsey oil refinery had entered insolvency and that the court had appointed an official receiver to manage the situation on the site and determine the next steps. Since then, we have worked urgently to ensure the…
Hansard · 22 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Renewable Energy Sector: Workers’ Rights15 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The Government are committed to strengthening collective bargaining and trade union recognition. The Employment Rights Bill and the plan to make work pay will modernise rights and improve conditions. The Office for Clean Energy Jobs engages unions to ensure that renewable energy jobs support economic growth, the net zero transition and workers moving from carbon-intensive…
Hansard · 15 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Electricity Grid Capacity15 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
We are working with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator to accelerate network infrastructure through reforms to planning, supply chains and other areas, delivering the capacity needed to achieve clean power by 2030 and to drive economic growth.
Hansard · 15 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
New Nuclear15 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The clean power 2030 action plan makes it clear that nuclear will play an important role in our future energy system, providing low-carbon baseload power to the grid. We are delivering the biggest new nuclear building programme in a generation, having committed almost £17 billion at the recent spending review.
Hansard · 15 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Clean Energy: Supply15 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
We will continue to support new renewables through the contracts for difference scheme in conjunction with initiatives such as the warm homes plan, the future homes standard and the boiler upgrade scheme. Great British Energy and Great British Energy Nuclear will together invest more than £8.3 billion over this Parliament in home-grown clean power.
Hansard · 15 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Renewable Energy15 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Our clean power 2030 action plan sets out our pathway to delivering clean power. To support that plan, we recently launched the solar road map, which confirms plans to increase domestic solar installations through the future homes standard and warm homes plan.
Hansard · 15 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions15 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Of course the Government follow the regulations that we have put in place quickly, and applications must be considered on a case-by-case basis—that is the way anyone would expect them to be dealt with. I will not say on the Floor of the House any more about those applications, as they are live decisions that…
Hansard · 15 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Heathrow Substation Outage: NESO Review2 Jul 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the publication of the report from the National Energy System Operator following its review into the fire at the North Hyde substation on 20 March . NESO’s review was commissioned jointly by the Energy Secretary and Ofgem in the immediate aftermath of…
Hansard · 2 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery30 Jun 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement about the Prax Lindsey oil refinery. Today its owners have declared insolvency at the refinery, and the Government are urgently acting in response to that deeply concerning news. I know that will be extremely worrying news for workers at the refinery, as well as for…
Hansard · 30 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Fossil Fuels10 Jun 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Happy birthday to you, Mr Speaker. We have been busy since we last met for oral questions. We have confirmed that rooftop solar panels will be standard on all new build homes and have funded £650 million of clean energy upgrades for over 200 buildings. We have also delivered the first solar projects for 11…
Hansard · 10 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Grid Capacity10 Jun 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Increasing grid capacity is critical. We are halving the development time for new transmission infrastructure through reforms to planning and supply chains, so that we can deliver the grid capacity needed to achieve clean power by 2030 and meet the doubling of electricity demand by 2050.
Hansard · 10 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Decoupling Electricity and Gas Prices10 Jun 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Accelerating the clean energy transition away from insecure and expensive fossil fuels towards cheap, clean renewables and nuclear power will help decouple gas and electricity prices. As a result, we will reduce the exposure of consumer bills to volatile international crises and ensure that we never again face the kind of cost of living crisis…
Hansard · 10 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Rosebank Oilfield10 Jun 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The consent to develop the Rosebank oilfield was deemed unlawful by the courts. The developer will need to reapply for consent, including an assessment of emissions from burning the fuel produced. We will produce guidance on the environmental assessment of those emissions in due course.
Hansard · 10 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions10 Jun 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. We are trying not just to build the renewables that we need for the future, but to bring the good jobs, the manufacturing and the industry along with them. The Prime Minister has announced £200 million of support for supply chains through Great British Energy, and there will be…
Hansard · 10 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Solar Farms15 May 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Dr Johnson) on securing a debate on this important issue. It is the first day in a while that Westminster has not been basking in sunlight, although I did note—contrary to some contributions made by Conservative Members—that solar is currently generating 30% of…
Hansard · 15 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Clause 3 - Objects14 May 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 2B in lieu.
Hansard · 14 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Energy Grid Resilience30 Apr 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on the resilience of the UK’s energy grid in the context of the widespread power outages experienced across the Iberian peninsula over the past two days. My thoughts are with all those affected by the widespread disruption across that peninsula on Monday. I am glad to…
Hansard · 30 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Great British Energy29 Apr 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Great British Energy will support the creation of thousands of high-quality, well-paid jobs right across the country and help rebuild the UK’s industrial heartlands. Just last week, the Prime Minister announced £300 million for Great British Energy to kick-start supply chains here in the UK. Once the Great British Energy Bill finishes its final stages…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Nuclear Power Sector29 Apr 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Nuclear power is a critical part of our clean power ambitions. We are making strong progress on Sizewell C and Great British Nuclear is driving forward its small modular reactor competition. We have also seen the nuclear regulatory taskforce set up by the Prime Minister, and we are ending the legacy of no new nuclear…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
National Grid Resilience29 Apr 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Before I answer the hon. Lady’s substantive question, I want to offer her my huge congratulations on smashing to smithereens on Sunday the previous record held by a female MP in the London marathon. Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network with diverse sources of supply. The national energy system operator can balance the…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions29 Apr 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I have had a number of meetings on this issue since coming into post. Clearly, tidal could play an important part in an energy mix. We have been clear that we are supportive of it in principle, but questions about its cost benefit and value for money must be answered. We are happy to continue…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Onshore Wind and Solar Generation2 Apr 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I beg to move, That the draft Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind and Solar Generation) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 10 March , be approved. Good afternoon, Madam Deputy Speaker. This instrument is another important step in supporting the deployment of onshore wind and solar, which are critical to achieving the Government’s…
Hansard · 2 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Clause 3 - Objects25 Mar 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 1.
Hansard · 25 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Electricity Grid Decarbonisation18 Mar 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Our clean power mission will end our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets, giving the British people the energy security they deserve and driving jobs and investment into our communities. We are already seeing the impact of the clean energy transition, with thousands of jobs being created across the country in CCUS—carbon capture, usage and…
Hansard · 18 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Large-scale Solar Farms18 Mar 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Meeting our clean power mission will require a significant increase in the deployment of both ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects. As well as consenting record amounts of ground-mounted solar, we want to see a much greater deployment of rooftop solar power. We will soon publish the solar road map—work that started under the previous Government—to…
Hansard · 18 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions18 Mar 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we have moved forward on delivering our plan that people hosting important infrastructure in their constituencies should benefit from it. The Conservatives consulted on it, like so many policies that they talked and talked and talked about, but failed to deliver over 14 years—we are moving on with…
Hansard · 18 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Rosebank and Jackdaw Oilfields10 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
The Government’s priority is to deliver a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North sea that recognises the role that oil and gas will play in the coming decades. This transition will be in line with our climate and legal obligations. It will drive us towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower…
Hansard · 10 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Biomass Generation10 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement about support for biomass electricity generation. My apologies to the House for it having to put up with even more of me. In January 2024 the previous Government launched a consultation on supporting large-scale biomass generators when existing support ends in 2027. That…
Hansard · 10 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Off-grid Communities: Energy Prices4 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower is the only way to protect bill payers permanently. The Government are determined to support all households with their energy costs, including those that are off grid, and eligible low-income households are being supported with the warm home discount. I urge households off the gas grid…
Hansard · 4 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Energy-based Development: Mid Buckinghamshire4 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman not just on this question, but on securing an Adjournment debate last night on exactly the same subject. As I stated last night, clean power projects in his constituency and across the country are vital to achieving our clean power mission, which will give us energy security and bring down…
Hansard · 4 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Great British Energy: Regional Offices4 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
We announced that Great British Energy’s headquarters will be in Aberdeen, recognising the decades of experience in that city as the energy capital of Europe and our determination to invest in good, well-paid jobs in the city. With £8.3 billion-worth of investment behind Great British Energy, it will deliver economic value and jobs right across…
Hansard · 4 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions4 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend makes a very important point. Although we are clearly on the sprint to deliver clean power by 2030, demand for electricity in this country is likely to double by 2050. Our reforms around connection to the grid are important —they will make sure that there is space for demand projects, such as…
Hansard · 4 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Energy Development Proposals: Mid Buckinghamshire3 Feb 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
I thank the hon. Member for securing this evening’s Adjournment debate. It has certainly not been lacking in hyperbole, and I look forward to responding to his specific points. Phrases such as “ticking time bomb”, “intent on destroying” and “thrown under the bus” suggest that we have taken a rational view on some of these…
Hansard · 3 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Gas Storage Levels13 Jan 2025
MS
Michael Shanks
Energy security is a key priority for this Government, and at no time was there any concern about Britain’s energy system being able to meet demand. Our systems worked entirely as intended. We had capacity to deal with market constraints, and that has been backed up by the two authoritative voices on this issue in…
Hansard · 13 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Community Energy Projects17 Dec 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
Community energy will play a pivotal role in our mission for clean power. Last week, we published the clean power action plan, which contained more information about how we will meet this world-leading mission, and the report confirmed that community energy will play an important role, particularly through Great British Energy.
Hansard · 17 Dec 2024 · parliament.uk
New Energy Infrastructure: Community Benefit Scheme17 Dec 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
We have made clear, through the clean power action plan that we announced last week, that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure that they benefit from it. There are many options in that area, including community funds and direct support for households, and we are exploring all those options to ensure that…
Hansard · 17 Dec 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions17 Dec 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is right to suggest that offshore wind, especially floating offshore wind, will play a critical role in our pathway to clean power. We will consider any option to ensure that we get many “test and demonstrate” projects through to delivery, and we will say more in coming weeks about what the next…
Hansard · 17 Dec 2024 · parliament.uk
Clean Energy by 203012 Nov 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
In just four short months, we have made rapid progress on achieving our mission for clean power by 2030. We have set up Great British Energy and announced its headquarters in Aberdeen, secured a record-breaking 131 renewables projects, and consented to record amounts of solar. We are getting on with delivering lower bills, energy security,…
Hansard · 12 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Great British Energy12 Nov 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
We are moving at pace to set up Great British Energy. So far we have appointed the start-up chair, Jürgen Maier, we have announced that the headquarters will be in Aberdeen and we have progressed the Bill through the House of Commons. This builds on the first partnership announced for Great British Energy, with the…
Hansard · 12 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
National Grid: Energy Mix12 Nov 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The Government regularly meet stakeholders to discuss the development of our energy infrastructure. Last week, the Government received advice from the National Energy System Operator outlining its advice on the pathway towards clean power by 2030. Later this year we will publish our 2030 action plan, which will set out details on the future of…
Hansard · 12 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Great British Energy: Job Creation12 Nov 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The energy transition presents an incredible opportunity for job creation right across the UK, particularly in our industrial and coastal communities. Through Great British Energy, we will build on Scotland’s reputation as a world leader in energy and secure long-term, well-paid jobs in the industries of the future.
Hansard · 12 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions12 Nov 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is right; there are good projects right across the country that we hope to invest in in the lead-up to delivering in 2030. The NESO report clearly set out that our aim is achievable. The Conservative party wants to continue having the arguments of the past; we are determined, with ambition, to…
Hansard · 12 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
New Clause 1 - Review of effective delivery29 Oct 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I thank all Members who have made contributions to the debate, and I am grateful for all the points raised in Committee. I thank the witnesses who gave their time to the Committee, as well as the Clerks, House staff and civil servants, who put so much work into legislation such as this. I apologise…
Hansard · 29 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Nuclear Industry: Cumbria14 Oct 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister) not only on securing this important debate and managing to get a considerable turnout for an Adjournment debate, but genuinely on the passion that he has brought, on behalf of his constituents, to this issue. I think he has had more meetings…
Hansard · 14 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Energy Security8 Oct 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The energy shocks of recent years have laid bare the exposure of our energy system to the international fossil fuel market. That is why we have started a mission to reach clean power by 2030, to end that reliance and ensure that the British people never again go through the sort of cost of living…
Hansard · 8 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Grid Capacity8 Oct 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
We are halving the development time for new transmission infrastructure through reforms of planning, supply chains and other areas, delivering the grid capacity that is needed to achieve clean power by 2030 and meet a doubling of electricity demand by 2050.
Hansard · 8 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Clean Electricity Generation8 Oct 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The latest contracts for difference round secured a record 131 renewable electricity projects across Great Britain. This will deliver a total capacity of 9.6 GW, enough to power the equivalent of 11 million homes. The Energy Secretary will continue to work with industry to explore how the contracts for difference scheme, and other energy policies,…
Hansard · 8 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions8 Oct 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that that issue is holding back projects across the country, which is why we have tackled it from day one. We are attempting to release network capacity, which can then be reallocated to accelerate the connection of viable projects. There is a lot of work to do,…
Hansard · 8 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Great British Energy Bill5 Sep 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
May I begin by thanking right hon. and hon. Members who have participated in this extremely wide-ranging debate this afternoon? I particularly pay tribute to all Members across the House who made their maiden speech in this debate. Thankfully, the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie) has already run through all the…
Hansard · 5 Sep 2024 · parliament.uk
Making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower26 Jul 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of making Britain a clean energy superpower. It is a genuine pleasure to see you in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker, and a privilege to open this debate on the Government’s plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower. It is also a genuine…
Hansard · 26 Jul 2024 · parliament.uk
Berwick Bank Wind Farm21 May 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
What discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on the Berwick Bank wind farm project.
Hansard · 21 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme21 May 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
Twenty years ago, the late former chair of the Scottish Infected Blood Forum, Philip Dolan, said that, for years, every time we have reached the top of the mountain, the cloud lifts and there is another mountain to climb. I think, from the Minister’s statement today, there is some sense that there might not be…
Hansard · 21 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Cost of Living1 May 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I wish Humza Yousaf well for the future, but after his year in office, nobody in Scotland is better off, and that is coupled with our having a Prime Minister who is clinging on to power. Child poverty is up. Life expectancy is falling. NHS waiting lists are up. Drug deaths are up. Homelessness is…
Hansard · 1 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill (Instructions)29 Apr 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I start by paying tribute to several people across this House from a number of different parties. When I arrived here last year, I could tell they had already been working hard on this issue, including my right hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) and the hon. Member for Motherwell and Wishaw…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Humanitarian Situation in Gaza17 Apr 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The Minister has said on a number of occasions today how complex the humanitarian situation is on the ground. UNRWA is the aid agency with most of the logistical and organisational network to deliver in that situation. On Monday, the Prime Minister was asked a number of times about the interim report that he says…
Hansard · 17 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Iran-Israel Update15 Apr 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
On the wider humanitarian crisis in Gaza, there is now a famine across the area. In response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Marsha De Cordova) , I think the Prime Minister said that he has received the interim report on UNRWA and that in due course he will receive…
Hansard · 15 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Business of the House14 Mar 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
May I begin by joining the tributes of Mr Speaker and those on the Front Benches to Tommy McAvoy? He represented my constituency of Rutherglen for 23 years, and was a committed trade unionist in the community before that. He was very much Rutherglen’s man. During the by-election, I do not know how many people…
Hansard · 14 Mar 2024 · parliament.uk
Income Tax (Charge)7 Mar 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
This morning the Chancellor appeared to suggest that income tax and national insurance contributions will be merged as part of his commitment yesterday. As national insurance is not currently levied on some forms of income, will the Secretary of State confirm to the House how much extra tax pensioners will pay as a result of…
Hansard · 7 Mar 2024 · parliament.uk
Financial Settlement for Scotland6 Mar 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
While the SNP and the Tories argue about the financial settlement between the two Governments, they do agree on two things: first, that working people should pay the price of this economic mess, by raising tax to sky-high levels; and secondly, at least until today, that oil and gas giants earning record profits should not…
Hansard · 6 Mar 2024 · parliament.uk
Israel and Gaza27 Feb 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The UN has said this week that a famine stalks Gaza, especially in the north where aid has not reached people since more than a month ago, on 23 January . The UN has confirmed that its inquiry into UNRWA will not report until 20 April . On a number of occasions the Minister has…
Hansard · 27 Feb 2024 · parliament.uk
Ceasefire in Gaza21 Feb 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The list of babies killed in Gaza before their first birthday is beyond heartbreaking. This week, at least four were killed before they had even got to the stage where they had a name. At the same time, footage emerged this week from Khan Yunis of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas and her sons, aged four…
Hansard · 21 Feb 2024 · parliament.uk
Economic Growth in Scotland: Tax Policies6 Feb 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
If he will make an assessment of the impact of his Department’s tax policies on economic growth in Scotland during this Parliament.
Hansard · 6 Feb 2024 · parliament.uk
Business of the House1 Feb 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
Just before Christmas, the Scottish Government published their budget, which included confirmation that Clyde Gateway—a community urban regeneration company that has invested hugely in my constituency and in nearby Glasgow—would continue to receive £5 million of capital funding. A few days later, the Scottish Government realised that that was a typo: they were actually cutting…
Hansard · 1 Feb 2024 · parliament.uk
Horizon: Prosecution of Postmasters24 Jan 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I pass the thoughts of the Opposition to the Secretary of State at this difficult time, and join the Minister in his comments about all those affected by flooding. The scandal of the unjustified prosecution of sub-postmasters the length and breadth of this country is almost beyond words. Although it should not have taken a…
Hansard · 24 Jan 2024 · parliament.uk
Clause 2 - Safety of the Republic of Rwanda16 Jan 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
It is a pleasure to follow a contribution that was slightly more rational than those we have heard from a number of Members on the Conservative Benches during today’s debate. This is my first Committee of the whole House, and it has been an interesting experience. We have had 17th-century constitutional and political lectures, analysis…
Hansard · 16 Jan 2024 · parliament.uk
Post Office Horizon Scandal10 Jan 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
On Monday, I asked the Minister how we can ensure that any system is the same across the whole of the UK. In the past few days, before today’s announcement, what discussions has he had with the Lord Advocate in Scotland about the decisions? Has he given any consideration to legislative consent motions so that…
Hansard · 10 Jan 2024 · parliament.uk
Inter Faith Network for the UK10 Jan 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing forward this important debate and draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests: I am proud to be a trustee of Interfaith Glasgow, which runs a weekend club for refugees in the city. Interfaith Glasgow builds connections between different groups and reduces…
Hansard · 10 Jan 2024 · parliament.uk
Rwanda Plan Cost and Asylum System9 Jan 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
The last debate we had in this place on this Rwanda plan was such a bizarre moment, as we watched Conservative Members, from one side of the party to the other, lobbying one another, with threats to vote against the Bill all quietly dispensed with when the moment finally came. Today, we seemed to have…
Hansard · 9 Jan 2024 · parliament.uk
Horizon: Compensation and Convictions8 Jan 2024
MS
Michael Shanks
This disgraceful scandal reached every single part of the country, including in Scotland, where the Crown Office held prosecutorial power rather than the Post Office. In 2020, the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission identified 73 potential victims, of whom only 16 have come forward to date. Clearly, there is still work to do to get…
Hansard · 8 Jan 2024 · parliament.uk
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill12 Dec 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
I am grateful to a priest in my constituency for recently bringing to my attention the film “A Man for all Seasons”, which I confess I had never seen. A quote from it is very relevant today: “Some men think the earth is round, others think it flat. It is a matter capable of question.…
Hansard · 12 Dec 2023 · parliament.uk
Violence in Classrooms11 Dec 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
What recent assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the level of violence in classrooms.
Hansard · 11 Dec 2023 · parliament.uk
Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy11 Dec 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
The Minister said earlier that international humanitarian law must always be upheld with no impunity, but what does that mean in practice? What mechanisms is he proposing we use, and what specific conversations has his Department had with the International Criminal Court to investigate potential breaches of humanitarian law? Has it withdrawn from the position…
Hansard · 11 Dec 2023 · parliament.uk
Food Supply Chains29 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is a pleasure to be here, although I have to say that there was not particularly stiff competition for the role from Scotland. Inflation might be slowly coming down, but food inflation in Scotland still stands at more than 10%, forcing families to choose between being able to eat or…
Hansard · 29 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Prepayment Meters: Vulnerable Households28 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
If she will make an assessment of the impact of the mandatory code of practice for the involuntary installation of prepayment meters on vulnerable households.
Hansard · 28 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Autumn Statement Resolutions - Rates of Tobacco Products Duty27 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
I want to start where a number of my hon. Friends have in this debate, which is talking about community facilities that are filling gaps where the Government are failing. A few weeks ago, I visited a fantastic community resource in Burnbank in Hamilton in my constituency, which is providing emergency food parcels, but also…
Hansard · 27 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Ministerial Code: Compliance23 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
What recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of compliance with the ministerial code.
Hansard · 23 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Levelling Up20 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
My first correspondence to the Government since being elected was to ask the Secretary of State to look again at the levelling-up bid for Shawfield in my constituency. I am delighted that, after only a month in this place, he has awarded £14 million to that project. It will be a challenge to keep that…
Hansard · 20 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Violence Reduction, Policing and Criminal Justice15 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
Mr Speaker, may I start by thanking you and all the staff of the House for the very warm welcome that I have received—and for all their help when I have so obviously become lost while moving around the building? I am glad that I chose a quiet political day on which to give my…
Hansard · 15 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Cost of Living: Scotland14 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
Whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Scotland on the impact of increases in the cost of living on the Scottish economy.
Hansard · 14 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Work Capability Assessments: People with Neurological Conditions13 Nov 2023
MS
Michael Shanks
What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of work capability assessments for people with neurological conditions.
Hansard · 13 Nov 2023 · parliament.uk
Michael Shanks — Hansard Social