John Lamont MP: Climate Timeline

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John Lamont's Climate-related Tweets, Speeches & Votes

We've found the following climate-related tweets, speeches & votes by John Lamont

• 8 Oct 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  We should be immensely proud of the food and drink produced here on our doorstep, but too often the concerns and the needs of farmers are taken for granted. They are overlooked by the SNP Government at Holyrood and now they seem to be ignored by the Labour Government here at Westminster. Politicians in those parties talk freely of the need for food security, but they do not seem to understand who delivers that food security. They speak of the need for great and high-quality produce without properly recognising the hard work that goes into producing it. They talk of the benefits of reaching net zero targets by managing land effectively and reducing the air miles for food, but do not give enough credit to the farmers who are achieving that.

  Full debate: Farming and Food Security

• 6 Mar 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  What a load of nonsense. Scotland is much better served by being part of the United Kingdom, and we will continue to support all renewable energy sectors, including tidal.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 24 Jan 2024: Parliamentary Speech

  I do not accept that analysis. For example, the UK has a world-leading ambition to deploy up to 50 GW of offshore wind by the year 2030, with up to 5 GW coming from offshore floating wind. Offshore wind provides secure, domestically generated electricity and will play a key role in decarbonising the UK power system by 2035, achieving net zero by 2050. I do not share the hon. Lady’s analysis of this Government’s focus in that area.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 29 Nov 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  Carbon capture, utilisation and storage is a vital component of our journey to net zero. The Acorn project represents a huge opportunity for the north-east of Scotland. As would be expected for any multi-billion pound project, due diligence must now be followed.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 13 Sep 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  Carbon capture, utilisation and storage will be essential to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero target, playing a vital role in levelling up the economy, supporting the low-carbon economic transformation of our industrial regions and creating new high-value jobs across the United Kingdom. In Scotland, the Acorn cluster has been allocated more than £40 million in development funding by the Government and has been selected, subject to final due diligence, for track 2 CCUS cluster sequencing.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 26 Aug 2023: Tweet

  ???? The UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund has awarded over £120,000 to The Southern Uplands Partnership. This will assist with upskilling employees in ‘green awareness’ training which will help local businesses transition to meet net zero targets. https://twitter.com/John2Win/status/1695352632259584079/photo/1 [Source]

• 14 Jun 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  The Minister will know as well as I do that, looking at the figures from the Scottish Government, the vast majority of Scotland’s manufactured goods—the things we make in Scotland—are exported outside of the UK to the US, European markets and other places. The figure is some 63%. He will also know that the vast majority of exports to the rest of the UK are financial services, insurance and things such as gas, oil, water, renewable energy and so on—things that people down here would not like to do without if they were taken away.

  Full debate: Cost of Living and Brexit

• 17 May 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  The growth of our green industries will lead to new jobs and many benefits for our communities, whether they be in East Lothian or in other parts of Scotland. To support this transformation and help people take advantage of the opportunities that the transition will bring, we will be producing a net zero and nature workforce action plan in 2024. We are starting with a set of initial proposals and actions from the net zero power and networks pilot working group, followed by a suite of comprehensive actions from those sectors by summer 2023, to ensure that communities such as those in East Lothian and across Scotland can take full advantage of the benefits of these projects.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

  By law, transmission network charging is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Transmission charges are set to reflect the costs imposed on the grid by generators and demand in different locations. That means that generators in Scotland pay higher charges than counterparts in England and Wales, reflecting the higher levels of transmission investment they drive. Ofgem recognises the importance of transmission charges to the deployment of Scottish renewable generation and the current concerns over the viability and cost reflectivity of charges. That is a key reason why Ofgem announced a programme of transmission charging reforms. I can confirm to the right hon. Gentleman that I recently met the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie) to discuss what more the UK Government can do to address the concerns he has highlighted.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

  I absolutely share my hon. Friend’s belief that nuclear plays an important part in the UK’s energy strategy. This UK Government’s “Powering up Britain” strategy is a blueprint for the future of energy in this country. We will diversify, decarbonise and incentivise new energy production by investing in both renewables and the nuclear sector. By setting Britain on course to greater energy independence, “Powering up Britain” will deliver energy security, of which nuclear will be a key part.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

  Absolutely not. At the Budget, the Chancellor announced £20 billion of funding to store as much carbon and create as many jobs as possible through track 1 and beyond—unprecedented investment in the development of carbon capture, usage and storage. The Government have also announced around £2 billion in investment for CCUS, hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation technologies. We have already confirmed that the Acorn project in the north-east of Scotland seems to meet the track 2 criteria, and we look forward to working with the project to ensure that we get some good news as soon as possible.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 12 Apr 2023: Tweet

  ♻️Projects like Sustainable Selkirk are vital in our bid to reach net zero by 2050. ????It was great to chat to the team about the work they are doing in the local community to help people and businesses reduce their carbon footprint. Find out more ???? https://sustainableselkirk.org.uk/ https://x.com/John2Win/status/1646088591099981824/photo/1 [Source]

• 31 Mar 2023: Tweet

  I've been in Madrid this week on behalf of @UKGovScotland chatting all things renewable energy, trade and culture ???????????????????????????????????? https://twitter.com/ScotSecofState/status/1641809126123511812 [Source]

• 21 Mar 2023: Tweet

  ????️ I was delighted to give the opening address at the @neccusalliance Scottish Net Zero Roadmap launch event in Edinburgh this morning. ???? Supported by the @GOVUK, this roadmap sets out a clear path for Scotland's industrial sector to move to net zero. @UKGovScotland https://x.com/John2Win/status/1638186984370733058/photo/1 [Source]

• 22 Feb 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  The UK Government are fully committed to supporting Scotland to realise its significant renewable energy potential. Scotland has benefited greatly from the contracts for difference scheme, the Government’s main mechanism for supporting new low-carbon electricity generation projects in Great Britain. Indeed, Scotland has received 27% of all contracted projects to date.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 11 Jan 2023: Parliamentary Speech

  Our response to the recent Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into promoting Scotland internationally highlights the wide range of activities that the Scotland Office, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for International Trade are undertaking around the world to promote Scottish interests across diverse areas, including trade and investment. UK Export Finance has provided £2.1 billion to Scottish companies since 2016-17, supporting a range of businesses, including food processors, hydro research, manufacturing and renewable energy. Our approach to attracting foreign investment in Scotland is driven by the Office for Investment, which launched in 2020. The successes of the programme are clear, with 4,408 new jobs created by overseas investment.

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 30 Nov 2022: Parliamentary Speech

  My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This is about securing consensus, not just between the UK and Scottish Governments, but across all parts of society in Scotland. We are lacking that just now. As he knows, we face major challenges, including restoring economic stability, gripping inflation, supporting people with their energy bills, supporting the NHS, combating climate change, supporting Ukraine and levelling up. People across Scotland just do not accept that now is the time for another divisive referendum.

  Full debate: Independence Referendum for Scotland

• 02 Nov 2022: Tweet

  RT @ScotSecofState: Scotland's @TheFlowCountry – the UK's greatest natural resource against climate change – is bidding to become a @UNESCO… [Source]

• 19 Oct 2022: Vote

  Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas Bill - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 15 Jul 2022: Tweet

  Penny is right about the need to meet net zero to protect our energy security. That’s become even more necessary since Putin invaded Ukraine @PennyMordaunt #CH4LeaderDebate #PM4PM [Source]

• 2 Mar 2022: Parliamentary Speech

  11. What his priorities are for the COP26 presidency. ( 905822 )

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

  It is vital that the UK seizes the opportunities of net zero to create new industries and green jobs. How is the President of COP26 prioritising skills to help the United Kingdom and the world to achieve our ultimate goal?

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 16 Feb 2022: Tweet

  RT @vickyford: Building on #COP26, returning to Scotland to see how @TuringTrust is supplying recycled tech to Malawi. These PCs better use… [Source]

• 13 Dec 2021: Vote

  Subsidy Control Bill — Schedule 1 - The subsidy control principles - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 24 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @KwasiKwarteng: NEW: next month's renewable energy auction – the biggest ever – will include for the first time a ringfence for Tidal St… [Source]

• 22 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: "Mother Earth has given us everything, but we are destroying her." Indigenous Peoples protect more than 80% of the world's biod… [Source]

• 13 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: #COP26 has concluded today in Glasgow with nearly 200 countries agreeing the Glasgow Climate Pact. Combined with increased ambi… [Source]

• 13 Nov 2021: Tweet

  COP26: World leaders reach most significant climate deal since the historic Paris Agreement #COP26 https://t.co/7zsyhMJn2S [Source]

• 13 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: ???? BREAKING: The #COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact has been agreed. It has kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, it will only survive if prom… [Source]

• 08 Nov 2021: Tweet

  ????Pleased to be attending #COP26 today to meet leaders and members of the public working together to drive urgent global action against climate change. @COP26 #TogetherForOurPlanet https://x.com/John2Win/status/1457682981875769348/photo/1 [Source]

• 06 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: ???? NEWS: #COP26 is driving action from business and governments to halt and reverse nature’s decline. ✅ Countries representing… [Source]

• 04 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: "We will all share in the benefits: affordable clean energy, healthy air and enough food to sustain us all." -- Sir David Atten… [Source]

• 04 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @griffitha: Today at #COP26 we announce: ????Majority of ???????? largest companies join #RaceToZero ????£700 billlion in combined sales ????Over a t… [Source]

• 03 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @KwasiKwarteng: On cutting pollution “the UK actually is exemplary” - @BillGates The UK has decarbonised faster than any other G7 coun… [Source]

• 02 Nov 2021: Tweet

  Amazing! Well done everyone! #COP26 https://t.co/MdyFj8P2zg [Source]

• 02 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @annietrev: Amazing globe in the #ActionZone @COP26 - look just how much of our planet is water ???? https://t.co/SZNK4DGqrh [Source]

• 02 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: Welcome to Day 2 of the #COP26 World Leaders Summit! Today world leaders will continue to share their ambitions for the summit… [Source]

• 01 Nov 2021: Tweet

  RT @10DowningStreet: WATCH LIVE: Prime Minister @BorisJohnson addresses the @COP26 World Leaders Summit. https://t.co/SHF7wT5gRF [Source]

• 31 Oct 2021: Tweet

  RT @ScotTories: The SNP have slashed funding for Agri-Environmental measures designed to tackle climate change. They claim to support a gr… [Source]

• 28 Oct 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  8. What steps the Church of England is taking to help ensure tangible outcomes for COP26. ( 903904 )

  Full debate: COP26

  The Church has tremendous influence both here and across the world. How is the Church of England encouraging its members to support successful outcomes from COP26?

  Full debate: COP26

• 24 Oct 2021: Tweet

  Great to be in Glasgow ahead of the @CommonsScotAffs pre-#COP26 visit tomorrow. I spent 4 happy years here at @UofGlasgow and I’m pleased to see the river, buildings and people are as amazing as they always were. https://x.com/John2Win/status/1452311246842310659/photo/1 [Source]

• 15 Sep 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  4. What steps the Government are taking to help Wales achieve the net zero emissions target. ( 903358 )

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 23 Jul 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: ???? days to go! ⁣ ???? #COP26 ???????? Glasgow⁣, UK ????️ 31 Oct - 12 Nov 2021⁣ ⁣ Securing a brighter future requires action from us all. So a… [Source]

• 23 Jun 2021: Tweet

  ????Pleased to hear from the Minister for Climate Change about plans taking shape for #COP26 in Glasgow in November. ????It is crucial that all nations unite under the UK’s leadership and match our ambitious action against #ClimateChange @COP26 @annietrev https://x.com/John2Win/status/1407631435624763392/photo/1 [Source]

• 07 Jun 2021: Vote

  Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill — New Clause 1 - Human Rights Abuses - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 14 May 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: Less than 6 months to go! ⏰ ???? #COP26 ???? Glasgow ????️ 1 - 12 November 2021 The climate crisis is a clear and present danger for u… [Source]

• 22 Apr 2021: Tweet

  RT @DefraGovUK: World leaders are coming together this #EarthDay to commit to urgent action on climate change at the #LeadersClimateSummit.… [Source]

• 20 Apr 2021: Tweet

  RT @COP26: ???? NEWS: UK to cut emissions by 78% by 2035 As #COP26 Presidency, the UK has set into law the world’s most ambitious climate cha… [Source]

• 13 Apr 2021: Tweet

  RT @GrahamJHWilson: The SNP have missed their own climate change targets - they can't trusted on the environment. Meanwhile @ScotTories hav… [Source]

• 13 Apr 2021: Tweet

  FACT CHECK - The Greens voted for the SNP Budget that CUT funding for climate change! #STVdebate [Source]

• 22 Mar 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  “But why,” we ask, “is the SNP doing this?” It does not want Scotland’s voters to look at its record in government over the last 14 years. Scotland’s education standards are in decline; Scotland’s NHS is in crisis; Scotland’s rural broadband delivery is in chaos; Scotland’s economy is lagging behind; Scotland has missed climate change targets; I could go on and on.

  Full debate: Scottish Independence Referendum

• 22 Mar 2021: Tweet

  RT @UKGovScotland: Our planet needs us to work together to tackle climate change ????. The UK Government will host @COP26 in Glasgow this ye… [Source]

• 08 Mar 2021: Tweet

  RT @ClimateEnvoy: Great to meet with UK Chancellor @RishiSunak to discuss the clean energy transition and shared goals for climate finance.… [Source]

• 08 Feb 2021: Tweet

  RT @OliverDowden: ???????? COP26 VOLUNTEER ???????????????????????????? Great opportunity to #volunteer and be part of something really special ???? @dianabarran @Al… [Source]

• 13 Jan 2021: Vote

  Financial Services Bill — Schedule 2 - Prudential regulation of FCA investment firms - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 15 Dec 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  What steps he is taking to promote climate action ahead of the COP26 summit. ( 910299 )

  Full debate: Climate Action

  The eyes of the world will be on Glasgow next year as the UK hosts the UN Climate Change Conference. This is a huge moment in our fight to stop climate change, so how will the UK Government engage with schools in Scotland and across the whole United Kingdom to promote this important event?

  Full debate: Climate Action

• 08 Dec 2020: Vote

  Delegated Legislation — Financial Assistance to Industry - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 16 Nov 2020: Vote

  Pension Schemes Bill [Lords] — Clause 124 - Climate change risk - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 12 Oct 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  The Lords amendment on the climate emergency is vital. It would require the Secretary of State to have regard not just to the UK’s net zero target of 2050, but to the Paris climate agreement and the critical importance of acting now to drive a steep reduction in emissions by 2030. Right now, the Government are showing their world-beating ability to set long-term targets on climate change at the same time as demonstrating a world-beating ability to utterly fail to accompany them with either the policies or the funding required to deliver them. That amendment would put that right.

  Full debate: Agriculture Bill

• 12 Oct 2020: Vote

  Agriculture Bill — After Clause 42 - Contribution of agriculture and associated land use to climate change targets - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 29 Sep 2020: Tweet

  RT @UKGovScotland: The UK Government will be leading the way at #COP26 and urging countries around the world to commit to #ClimateAction. h… [Source]

• 29 Sep 2020: Vote

  United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — New Clause 6 - Economic development: climate and nature emergency impact statement - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 28 Sep 2020: Tweet

  RT @FCDOGovUK: Sustainably managing nature and protecting biodiversity can help to reduce the effects of climate change. #COP26Action #UNGA… [Source]

• 16 Sep 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  This UK Government appear to have no intention of making up the shortfalls on any of those growth deals. The growth deal in Aberdeen was huge and ambitious in setting out to change and challenge the economy in Aberdeen, the end of oil and moving towards that just transition—

  Full debate: United Kingdom Internal Market Bill

• 16 Sep 2020: Tweet

  RT @UKGovScotland: The UK Government will be leading the way at #COP26 and urging countries around the world to commit to #ClimateAction.… [Source]

• 11 Sep 2020: Parliamentary Speech

  The Committee on Climate Change emphasised the importance of an environmentally sustainable economy in its 2019 report, “Net Zero: the UK’s contribution to stopping global warming”. The report highlighted the importance of the UK’s providing an attractive green investment environment, noting that Government success in providing clear and stable mechanisms that attract sufficient volumes of low capital will be key to the overall success in reaching a net zero greenhouse gas target. The Committee concluded that the UK is well placed to lead globally on the development of products to finance low-carbon investment. Again, co-operatives and community benefit societies provide one mechanism to achieve that.

  It is undeniable that the climate change agenda is critical to the investment landscape. Does my hon. Friend therefore agree that it is a little confusing that green shares will be limited to external investors, and that they should also be available to members?

  It is argued that these redeemable shares are important on two levels. The first is the important benefits of environmentally sustainable investment—for example, in the retrofitting of existing housing association homes or the expansion of renewable energy co-operatives. The second is the benefits to co-operatives themselves. Co-operatives UK is just one advocate of such redeemable shares, noting that they could be

  Since 2012, sustainable investments have grown by 107% annually as an investment strategy. There is significant growth of individuals who invest sustainably in companies, organisations and funds with the purpose of generating measurable, social and environmental impact alongside financial return. Impacts are spread across various sectors, from renewable energy and climate change to health, safety and community development. The Bill arguably fulfils some of those desires and pivots towards a more sustainable future, unlocking new finance sources through the green shares, which must be invested in an environmentally sustainable way.

  As investment trends change, policy such as this drives that change in our culture to adopting socially responsible practices in businesses and industry, and encourages adaptation towards a sustainable investment environment. I hope that this is a step towards changing the sustainability outlooks of other companies and business models. Although, of course, protecting lives and suppressing the coronavirus has been the priority for the Government over the past few months as the virus has devastated many of our communities, that is not to say that we should put the climate crisis on the back burner; it must remain our priority.

  As we heard earlier from my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South (Andrew Lewer), the UK has played a world-leading role in tackling climate change. I must challenge some of the opening remarks of the hon. Member for Cardiff North. The transition to clean growth for the UK has demonstrated that we are one of the pioneers in this area. We are the first country to legislate to eliminate our contribution to climate change by 2050, and the fastest in the G20 to cut emissions.

  At the same time, the Environment Bill is being introduced to protect and improve the environment for future generations, enshrining in law environmental principles and legally binding targets. The first progress report of the Government’s ambitious 25-year environment plan found that 90% of the priority actions have been delivered or are on track to be delivered. Coal power stations will be completely shut down by 2025, if not 2024. Glasgow will host COP26, coronavirus allowing, putting Britain at the heart of the world’s efforts to combat climate change. We are currently on track to protect 4 million sq km of ocean across our overseas territories before the end of 2020. These are huge achievements in themselves, and I hope the hon. Lady will acknowledge that we are making significant progress, notwithstanding her comments earlier.

  However, I am all too aware that there is a need to accelerate work to protect the environment. Innovative ideas to make it more affordable and more accessible to finance environmentally friendly investments are to be welcomed and studied closely, and this Bill gives us that opportunity. Through green shares, we can begin to allow local communities to rise to the climate change challenge and see more level playing fields between co-operatives, community benefit societies and their private competitors.

  Just last week, in my own constituency, plans for 50 new jobs were approved in the coastal town of Eyemouth. These jobs will come from the new maintenance base for an offshore wind farm off the Fife coast. Providing skilled jobs or improving towns and villages in other ways, such as in Eyemouth, must be how we tackle climate change. Not only does that ensure that no one is left behind, but it helps to persuade those who are less convinced of the merits of such projects that that is the way forward. Co-ops have a huge opportunity here to play a big part in providing jobs and community benefits.

  Full debate: Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies (Environmentally Sustainable Investment) Bill

• 05 Feb 2020: Vote

  Transport - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 17 Oct 2019: Parliamentary Speech

  I am pleased to be able to speak briefly today in this important debate. I very much welcome the measures contained in the Queen’s Speech. Other Members have covered the urgency of the need to tackle climate change so I will not repeat that argument, but it is right that this place is prioritising climate change and it is right that our constituents continue to contact us about climate change. I believe that this Government are prioritising measures to address climate change.

  The new Environment Bill will ensure that environmental principles are at the centre of every decision the Government take. Tackling climate change is one of the issues that Scotland’s two Governments need to work on together. I believe they need to work better at it. The UK and the Scottish Governments are both world leaders in reacting to our climate change emergency, and they must continue their joined-up approach. That is why I was so disappointed by the opening speech by the hon. Member for Edinburgh North and Leith (Deidre Brock). It was full of sarcasm and weak political point scoring, rather than recognising that both Governments need to work together on this issue. Our constituents expect us to work together and not engage in cheap party political point scoring.

  It is important to acknowledge that the UK is a world leader in meeting the challenge of climate change face on. The UK was the first major economy to introduce legally binding long-term emissions targets and the first to announce a legally binding net zero target. We have cut emissions by more than 40% since and decarbonised faster than any other G20 country. We need to continue and step up those efforts, but they are remarkable achievements and as a nation we do not always give ourselves credit for them. I am optimistic that humanity will overcome this climate emergency. The way we will do that will not, I am afraid, be by spraying fake blood on Government buildings. It will be by changing our habits as a nation and through advances in technology: electric car battery improvements, advances in carbon capture and finding more sustainable ways of growing food.

  Full debate: The Climate Emergency

• 25 Jun 2019: Vote

  Delegated Legislation — Value Added Tax - Pro-climate vote: No - Their vote: Aye

• 8 Jan 2019: Parliamentary Speech

  I very much support renewable energy, but many of my constituents in the Scottish borders feel that we now have our fair share of onshore wind, so can the Minister assure me that nothing in Government policy will promote onshore wind farm developments over other forms of renewable energy sources?

  Full debate: Oral Answers to Questions

• 6 Sep 2018: Parliamentary Speech

  Despite an apparent consensus that our world is in crisis, the truth is that the world is safer, healthier, wealthier and smarter than it has ever been, and Britain has made a significant contribution to achieving that. It does not make the headlines, but since yesterday worldwide life expectancy went up by 9.5 hours, 137,000 people came out of extreme poverty, 305,000 people got safer water, 295,000 people got electricity and worldwide CO 2 levels fell by 2,000 tonnes. The UK has often led the way in tackling these international problems through our international aid programme, through tackling extremism abroad, and through our world-leading climate change programme and clean growth policies. Beyond and including that, Scotland has a proud tradition of contributing to this international effort.

  Full debate: Global Britain and the International Rules-based Order

• 24 Oct 2017: Parliamentary Speech

  Putting aside the international dispute surrounding Taiwan, the focus of our relationship with the state is to build on the strong economic links that we already have. Taiwan is a major economy, larger than Sweden, Thailand or Hong Kong, and it is a significant trading partner with the UK. We export nearly £2 billion-worth of goods and services to Taiwan, and it is good to see the UK Government building on that with their recent mission to promote UK renewable energy technology. With the first distilleries in 200 years set to open in my own area in the Scottish borders, it would be remiss of me not to mention that Taiwan is the third-largest overseas market for Scottish whisky. I was pleased that last year the UK Government worked with the Scotch Whisky Association to secure trademark certification for the product in Taiwan.

  Full debate: UK Relations with Taiwan