Paul Holmes MP: Climate Timeline

• Timeline
• Votes
• Speeches
• Tweets
• Contact

Paul Holmes's Climate-related Tweets, Speeches & Votes

We've found the following climate-related tweets, speeches & votes by Paul Holmes

• 17 Jan 2025: Parliamentary Speech

  Solar energy has an essential role to play in decarbonising our power sector by putting otherwise unused roof space to good use. Solar panels are an effective technology for reducing carbon emissions, and the Bill proposes a forward-looking measure that would require the installation of solar PV generation equipment on new homes. Its Second Reading offers us an opportunity to debate the merits of the proposal and its potential contribution to our shared goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

  The previous Government supported solar energy generation where it was appropriate. Our efforts included a £50 million fund aimed at supporting rooftop solar installations to enhance on-farm energy security. The responsibility for advancing solar and renewable energy now rests with this Government, and we wish them luck in doing so while remaining sceptical about the abilities of GB Energy to see that through. Under the last Government’s leadership, we delivered 2.5 million homes since 2010, including 1 million homes during our final term in office. That provided more people with the opportunity to own their homes and expanded options for renters.

  If this Bill receives passes its Second Reading today, we will scrutinise it thoroughly to ensure that it balances the need to build more homes with the imperative of increasing energy efficiency and production. I welcome the proposed exemptions for buildings that cannot support solar due to roof positioning or other factors. Those exemptions need further scrutiny in Committee to ensure that they are comprehensive. Sensibly, the Bill allows for other renewable energy systems to be used where solar is not feasible; that is practical. However, the list of exemptions should not allow developers to adapt their designs in order to avoid installing solar panels, so that they can avoid what they claim are increased costs. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Herne Bay and Sandwich (Sir Roger Gale) and a number of colleagues on the Labour Benches mentioned, there remains a risk that house builders or developers will identify loopholes in the legislation that they can use to say, “We can’t build solar on that, so we will do either a cheaper alternative or none at all.” However, if Members in all parts of the House work together in Committee, we can strengthen the legislation to ensure that developers put these technologies on buildings across the country.

  I fully support initiatives to encourage renewable energy and solar panel usage, but it is crucial to address the practical challenges we face. As has been mentioned, the national grid’s infrastructure may not be equipped to handle a significant increase in capacity from solar generation alone. A recent article outlined that £60 billion of investment in the national grid is needed to make sure that solar energy can be put back into the grid in a sustainable way.

  I will conclude—many will be pleased to hear—by reaffirming the Conservative party’s strong commitment to the UK’s target of reaching net zero by 2050. I am proud to say that we have already achieved a 50% reduction in emissions between 1990 and 2022 while growing our economy by 79%. As we continue on this journey, our policies must strike a balance between ambition and realism. I look forward to hearing more about the provisions in this Bill, and hope that this debate will bring us closer to solutions that support both its practical implementation and our environmental goals. I once again congratulate the hon. Member for Cheltenham, and look forward to seeing him—if he is lucky—in a Committee on this legislation. At the risk of being sanctioned, I promise him that I will be a ray of sunlight when we work together to ensure that this Bill is strengthened and becomes legislation.

  Full debate: New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill

• 08 Nov 2024: Tweet

  A pleasure to meet constituent Lisa at my surgery regarding the @MPWatchNetwork campaign. A good conversation on climate change and much needed policies https://x.com/pauljholmes/status/1855010417581453371/photo/1 [Source]

• 21 Sep 2023: Tweet

  RT @JohnGlenUK: We have not lost sight of our environmental targets - Net Zero by 2050 will happen - and @RishiSunak has chosen the fairest… [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  RT @RishiSunak: We will still meet our international commitments and hit Net Zero by 2050. Our new approach will embrace with even greater… [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  @tomm_robertss It’s *wrecked* btw. And this government has led the way in decarbonisation and net zero. Nothing in law or net zero targets have changed. https://twitter.com/pauljholmes/status/1704555468742430894/photo/1 [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  @tomm_robertss Well I’ve read the manifesto. I don’t see us scrapping anything. For example net zero commitment remains and 2030 car ban wasn’t in it. [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  RT @FraserNelson: The UK has led the world on decarbonisation, but the pace of UK environmental progress is seldom discussed. Facts and f… [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  This Governments commitment to Net Zero remains in law. But those arbitrary targets hurt those on low and medium incomes while not affecting those who earn the most. A tweaking of timings to help with the cost of living is right and the PM has my full support in doing so. [Source]

• 20 Sep 2023: Tweet

  @waterman1270 Commitment trains to net zero, but arbitrary car targets and boiler targets don’t help those less well off who can’t afford it. Wise to do it properly and proportionately [Source]

• 28 Oct 2022: Tweet

  @RichardMR64 @SBrook68 @JimPaine8 No climate change falls under BEIS [Source]

• 28 Oct 2022: Tweet

  @SBrook68 @JimPaine8 @RichardMR64 A Secretary of State responsible in a Cabinet, a COP 26 president, even if the Climate Minister was in cabinet they’re still accountable to a Secretary of State. It was window dressing [Source]

• 27 Oct 2022: Tweet

  @RichardMR64 We are showing up. The President of COP26 who is responsible is going [Source]

• 05 Apr 2022: Tweet

  @KarinKMacDee @abrigroup Decarbonising of housing stock featured highly. The government has also done lots on climate change. [Source]

• 13 Dec 2021: Vote

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

• 16 Jul 2021: Tweet

  @RichardMR64 @XR_Southampton Policies in place to mitigate for climate change. But building more houses here, which you know I’m against, also affecting things here [Source]

• 06 Jul 2021: Tweet

  Today I asked the Energy Minister about the UK's success in decarbonising our energy supply so we can have a cleaner, greener future. https://x.com/pauljholmes/status/1412436671946231811/video/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

• 26 May 2021: Vote

  Environment Bill — New Clause 24 - Prohibition on burning of peat in upland areas - Pro-climate vote: Aye - Their vote: No

• 9 Mar 2021: Parliamentary Speech

  The Solent region has pockets of deprivation left over by the old industries of the railways in Eastleigh town centre and the post-industrial past of Southampton’s docks. The announcement of the Solent freeport, which was opposed by the Lib Dem leader and pooh-poohed by the Labour party, will prepare our workforce for the future. We are talking about 52,000 jobs, the creation of decarbonisation industries, such as green maritime, green transport jobs and a world-leading sector in green energy. This will mean that £2 billion-worth of investment will be attracted to the Solent region and it will add £3.7 billion of gross value added uplift to the UK. This Budget is a shot in the arm for my region, which is often seen as economically developed, to ensure that the Solent region, my constituency and Southampton as a whole will have the world-leading recovery that we need.

  Full debate: Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

• 13 Jan 2021: Vote

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

• 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: 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: Vote

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

• 04 Sep 2020: Tweet

  Lovely to meet up with Sian, Jacob, Wendy and others at St Luke’s Church to discuss climate change and environmental issues. Lots of interesting ideas. https://x.com/pauljholmes/status/1301867047383707651/photo/1 [Source]

• 05 Feb 2020: Vote

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