UK to Move Away from Russian Energy by Supplementing Country’s Nuclear and Wind Power Plants

The UK government, through the BBC has bared plans to expand the kingdom’s nuclear power plants and offshore wind farms to increase local energy production. The plans to expand and supplement local energy sources are part of the government’s plan to permanently move away from procuring oil and gas from Russia.

How the British Government Plans to Carry Out Expansion of Nuclear Power Plants

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been reported to have been in meeting and holding talks with prominent personalities associated with the North Sea oil and gas sector; and with representatives of organizations that deal with nuclear and renewable energy The UK PM previously signified intention of seeing UK’s nuclear energy production increase by 25% by the year 2050.

However. the UK Treasury raised concerns that the costs of such plans are not included in the government’s current spending review. Actually, there are six nuclear plants in the UK supplying around 20% of the electricity demand in the country, Yet most of these plants have reactors that will be out of commission before the year 2030, which means they will cease to operate by that period. The construction of new plants therefore will be met with funding complications.

Nevertheless, Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng of the Business Sector gave confirmation that a new body of ministers will be organized to oversee plans of establishing new nuclear power plants. According to reports, the government has been authorized to finance nuclear projects by making customers sunsidize the cost. Share in construction costs as they are incurred will be added to customers’ monthly billing statements.

Government’s Plans to Install Offshore Wind Farms

The BBC report said that PM Johnson has also mentioned his desire to expand energy sources by installing offshore wind power plants.

Offshore plants, as opposed to onshore wind plants,are located over bodies of water like the ocean and not on land. As it is, the Prime Minister was told that while it only takes less than a day to install wind turbines, obtaining approval for onshore wind farms can take about 10 years. The Department of Transportation says many local communities oppose onshore wind farms because they destroy the view of their landscapes.

UK Parliament Votes on Tightened Rules Imposed on MPs with Second Jobs

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last Tuesday about the government’s plan to tighten the rules on what Parliament Ministers can take on as second jobs. Parliament took immediate action as voting took place last Wednesday as the Labour Party proposed to ban second jobs amid allegations of sleaze or immoral behavior among Conservative MPs, specifically the most recent, which is that Conservative MP Owen Paterson’s case.

MP Parkinson was found to have used his position in lobbying for two of his corporate empooyers. After the scandal broke out, and strong outcries from opposition MPs and some Conservatives, Mr Paterson resigned from his job as Minister of Parliament PM Johnson said he believed that Parkinson had broken the rules, describing the sleaze behavior as “extraordinary,”

In the debate to ban second job rules called by Labour, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said a ban is not necessary because it’s important for MPs maintain connections outside of the Parliament. That way they can draw on the insight and expertise derived from that experiences offered by the world beyond the confines of the parliament.

 

Although the Labour MPs dismissed the argument that MPs need to do extra work to gain real world experience, contending that serving as an MP should be a full time job. Still, the Labour Party’s proposed ban on second jobs was shot down at the House of Commons.

New Rules on Second Jobs for MPs

The new rules on second jobs do not prohibit MPs from earning extra money to augment their £81,932 annual salary; or for the more noble purpose of gaining greater experience from the world beyond parliament.

MPs can work as professionals in the fields of law or medicine or as consultants or strategists for private companies. However, they should not lobby or carry out actions aimed at altering government policies for the benefit of their employers or benefactors. They should not use the facilities of the House of Commons in performing work on behalf of clients.

Moreover, MPs have to register their outside earnings. If they take part in parliament activities or debate in matters involving or affecting their clients, they should declare such interest in doing so. Any breach of the Parliament’s code of conduct calls for necessary punishment, including suspension. Commons.

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