I have been in almost daily contact with the sector to support them through this crisis. Last week I attended the Oil and Gas Authority\u2019s Maximising Economic Recovery Forum with industry leaders to discuss the challenges posed by COVID-19, and the sector\u2019s recovery.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have also committed to delivering an oil and gas Sector Deal during this Parliament.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4134", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Spelthorne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kwasi Kwarteng"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-16T16:05:13.813Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Offshore Industry: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What steps his Department is taking to support the oil and gas sector.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4601", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Bowie"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Bowie"} ], "uin" : "903279"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1204023", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1204023/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government continues to work closely with the airline industry. We have put unprecedented levels of support in place to help industry, including airlines, who have drawn down £1.8billion of loan support through the Bank of England\u2019s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) to help them continue activities.<\/p>
<\/p>
In addition, my Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, is leading an International Aviation Task Force, to help put measures in place to kickstart the sector \u2013 helping to restore jobs, trade, and opportunities for travel.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4134", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Spelthorne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kwasi Kwarteng"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-16T16:07:09.603Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Airlines: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on retaining jobs in the airline industry.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ealing, Southall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Virendra Sharma"} ], "uin" : "903290"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1202908", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1202908/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government believes that transparency is essential for a stable, secure energy market in which industry and consumers can participate with confidence.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Optional Downward Flexibility Mechanism (ODFM) service has been established by National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) to be used in exceptional circumstances and under certain conditions. ODFM was critical during recent periods of exceptionally low demand as it created \u2018space\u2019 on the system, thereby allowing the ESO to balance the system without having to resort to implementing emergency disconnection of embedded generation. As lockdown restrictions relax and demand increases, there is likely to be less of a requirement to use this service.<\/p>
<\/p>
Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, has a statutory duty to protect the interests of GB\u2019s energy consumers and is responsible for ensuring that the ESO procures services to balance electricity demand and supply (including ODFM) in an open, transparent, economic and efficient manner.<\/p>
<\/p>