19:00 Mr Speaker

Sedgemoor council, Somerset county council and EDF believe that business rates should be split in proper recognition of the effect of the project on all communities in the area. First, however, we need an intelligent rethink about which projects should qualify. The Department for Communities and Local Government conducted a consultation exercise before the rules were established, and spelled out the terms of reference for energy projects. That was meant to prove that only wind power schemes would qualify for business rates, but in fact those terms of reference put nuclear power on top. I will quickly demonstrate that, if I may, by going through the Department’s checklist: creating a diverse energy mix—yes, Hinkley ticks that box; decarbonising our economy—we tick that box; creating energy security—we tick that box; protecting consumers from fossil fuel price fluctuations—we definitely tick that; driving investment and jobs—we tick it again; meeting carbon emissions reductions—yes, we’ve done it; incentivising development for growth—that is seven out of seven. We tick all the boxes.

“The design of the business rates retention scheme will ensure that there will be significant outgoing benefits to those authorities hosting low carbon energy infrastructure—not just renewable energy projects.”

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