Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2024 to Question 16114 on Offshore Industry: Employment, what steps she has taken to verify the methodology behind the Offshore Energies UK’s Workforce Insight reports.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The workforce estimates developed by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) come from statistics provided by the data analysis company Experian, who in turn use Government jobs data and track expenditure as it flows through the economy. These figures are produced independently of Government but OEUK has previously shared some underlying data with the Department. Experian has said that its calculation is standard and widely used.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department is taking steps to reduce the use of diesel generators; and what data her Department holds on the number of mobile phone masts powered by diesel generators.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are committed to fully decarbonising the power system by 2035 but we will not be taking any chances with Britain’s energy supply.
Fossil fuel generation such as diesel is used to provide business continuity for infrastructure in the event of disruption to electricity supplies.
Users of diesel generators are required to obtain environmental permits and meet limits on emissions of air pollutants as set out in the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016.
The Department does not hold data on the number of mobile phone masts powered by diesel generators. The majority of mobile phone masts draw their power from the National Grid, with a number having a backup diesel generator, and some being permanently powered by diesel generator.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of funding a programme of free home insulation; and if she will have discussions with councils on introducing such a programme nationwide.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government launched the Great British Insulation Scheme in July 2023, supporting the delivery of low-cost insulation measures, and is expected to help some 300,000 households, requiring little or no contribution. This complements the Energy Company Obligation scheme, which has been one of the Government’s key domestic energy policies since it launched in 2013. It is estimated that a combined £5bn will be spent under both schemes, up to March 2026.
The flexible eligibility element of both schemes allows local authorities to set out local eligibility criteria. The Department consistently engages with local authorities to improve uptake and remove barriers.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to expand eligibility for Government grants to include a wider range of heat pump and low carbon heating systems in the next two years.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Hybrid heating systems, alongside Heat Pump deployment, could play a transitional role in the 2020s and 2030s. The Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency consultation explored the potential role that hybrids could play in heat decarbonisation, both in the near term and beyond 2028. The Government is analysing responses and will issue a response.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme looks to direct the funding available towards the technologies that offer the greatest carbon savings, rather than those such as hybrid or air-to-air heat pumps which would involve the burning of fossil fuels to meet fully the property’s space heating and hot water requirements.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with representatives of the hospice sector on the impact of rising energy bills on UK hospices.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Discussions have taken place with a number of charities and businesses regarding increased energy costs and the Government is fully aware of the impact this is having on the hospice sector.
This is why the Energy Bill Relief Scheme has been introduced, shielding eligible non-domestic customers from soaring energy prices. Following an Treasury-led review, the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, will run from April until March 2024, and continue to provide a discount to eligible non- domestic customers, including the hospice sector.