Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a social tariff in the energy market.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

A social tariff is fundamentally about supporting the most vulnerable with the cost-of-living, including energy bill costs, and this is what we have delivered. Between 2022-25 we are delivering a package of support worth £108 billion, or £3,800 per household on average.

Energy prices have fallen significantly, and the Quarter 2 2024 price cap has dropped by nearly 60% since the 2023 peak. We are also continuing to support eligible low-income households through the Warm Home Discount, providing an annual £150 rebate off energy bills until 2025-26.

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 15 May 2024 to Question 25717 and to the Answer of 10 May 2024 to Question 24573 on Energy: Debts, whether an allowance for servicing consumer debt was permitted by Ofgem in any period before April 2024.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) has never included an allowance for bad debt held by suppliers. All funding was used to apply a unit rate discount to household tariffs.

Ofgem have always included within the standing charges element of the Default Tariff Cap (Price Cap) some element to account for consumer debt held by suppliers.

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 14 May 2024 to Question 25469 on Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, how many recipients there are in each region of the UK.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The number of scheme members by region, as at July 2023, is as follows:

A breakdown by region of former miners and dependants is not available.

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 14 November 2023 to Question 1095 on Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, if she will take steps to calculate how many of the 23,974 spouse/dependant pensioners in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme reside in (a) Easington constituency and (b) the North East.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The breakdown of dependant members by constituency is not available. It would be for the Trustees to take steps to calculate this figure. As at June 2023, the total number of MPS members in Easington was 3563 and in the North East was 15,917.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of (a) cars and (b) other vehicles used by her Department were made in Britain.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government Car service (GCS) provides vehicles to a number of Government departments. Due to logistical and operational reasons the type of vehicles deployed at each department can vary on a daily or weekly basis. The GCS fleet currently has 122 vehicles, 58 (48%) of which are vehicles made in Britain.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many former employees were recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in (a) Easington constituency and (b) the UK in May 2024.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The total number of BCSSS members in Easington was 732 as at June 2023. The number of former employees in BCSSS in the UK in May 2024 was 28,437. The breakdown of scheme members (i.e. former employees and dependants) by constituency is not available.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much revenue the Exchequer has received from the British Coal Staff Superannuation Fund since 1994.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has received £3.1bn for its role as Guarantor from the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to help increase investment in green technologies.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK has made tremendous progress securing investment into green technologies. Recent figures indicate that the UK saw £60bn of investment in 2023.

Government continues to bring forward targeted funding, regulation and policy to drive investment – such as confirming the funding boost for our Contracts for Difference scheme, publishing our CCUS vision, and our recent announcement of support for advanced nuclear fuel.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to help increase investment in green technologies.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK has made tremendous progress securing investment into green technologies. Recent figures indicate that the UK saw £60bn of investment in 2023.

Government continues to bring forward targeted funding, regulation and policy to drive investment – such as confirming the funding boost for our Contracts for Difference scheme, publishing our CCUS vision, and our recent announcement of support for advanced nuclear fuel.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of gas consumption on energy prices in Scotland.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

While we expect levels of gas consumption to decline in the coming years, we are working to facilitate the least-cost pathway to a secure gas system and net zero future.

The Ofgem price cap is around 60% lower now relative to its peak at the start of 2023.

We are prioritising the impact on consumer costs in developing future gas policy.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions she has had with Ofgem on trends in the level of consumer energy debt.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

I meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss debt, and I welcome Ofgem’s recent Call for Input on affordability and debt.

Earlier this week, I met with energy suppliers and outlined our expectation that suppliers do all they can to support customers in debt. I also meet regularly with stakeholders like Citizens Advice to work together on how consumers can be best supported.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she has taken to increase energy security.

Answered by Claire Coutinho - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

This Government created a standalone department to focus on energy security. We are driving tyrants like Putin out of our energy markets. We are leading one of the world’s largest renewables programmes and driving forward the largest expansion of nuclear in 70 years, making our future energy in Britain.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she has taken to increase energy security.

Answered by Claire Coutinho - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

This Government created a standalone department to focus on energy security. We are driving tyrants like Putin out of our energy markets. We are leading one of the world’s largest renewables programmes and driving forward the largest expansion of nuclear in 70 years, making our future energy in Britain.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of work carried out under the Energy Company Obligation.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) ensures high-quality installations through requirements for work to be carried out by a TrustMark registered business, to meet independent standards, and through provision of guarantees.

ECO schemes are supported by regular independent evaluations to gather feedback, including household satisfaction.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project status is not used by the developers of solar farms as a way of bypassing local planning scrutiny and avoiding accountability to the local community.

Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) recently consulted on Operational reforms to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting process. As part of their response DLUHC has introduced secondary legislation and new guidance that provide greater clarity for applicants on whom to consult and when. This came into force on 8 March. These reforms will ensure the system should incentivise early, meaningful engagement between parties as applications for projects are developed.

The established consultation procedures with Interested Parties that are undertaken during the development consent Examination by the Planning Inspectorate, or by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero following receipt of the Examination report will continue to be delivered. On 15 May, my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State made a Written Ministerial Statement reinforcing the importance of applicants following the expectations on siting solar developments set out in the Renewable Energy National Policy Statement. Applications will not be consented if they have not met the requirements, and that includes community engagement as required by the Planning Act. Planning Inspectorate guidance on the pre-application stage was updated on 30 April this year and can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-act-2008-pre-application-stage-for-nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects (also attached).

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her planned timetable is for announcing the final revised budget for contracts for difference allocation round six.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

National Grid ESO are currently reviewing applications against the published CfD qualification criteria. The outcomes of this process will dictate timings for when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide whether an increase to the budget is appropriate. The different timeline scenarios are published here:

https://www.cfdallocationround.uk/news/ar6-core-parameters-published

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of steps taken by (a) her Department and (b) the Treasury on ensuring that the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 delivers more offshore wind capacity than Allocation Round 5.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 6 March 2024, the Government confirmed over £1 billion of budget will be available in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 auction, including £800 million allocated to offshore wind. This followed the announcement in November that the administrative strike prices for fixed and floating offshore wind had been increased by 66% and over 5 0% respectively, since the previous allocation round. This budget announcement makes this the largest round yet, with four times more budget available to offshore wind than in the previous round.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the number of buildings in which insulation was installed through government-funded grant schemes in which remediation of that insulation is required.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government does not hold the data on the number of buildings where insulation has been installed through a government funded scheme and subsequently required remediation work.

Since 2019, all installations under government energy efficiency schemes have been required to be carried out by TrustMark registered and PAS 2030 or MCS certified businesses to improve the quality of installations and protect consumers. TrustMark registered installers are required to provide all consumers with a guarantee covering the installation work for up to 25 years for a range of energy efficiency measures.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps their Department is taking to support the Disability Confident scheme; how many officials in their Department work directly on supporting that scheme; what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of that work in supporting the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of disabled people in their Department; and what further steps they are taking to support their Department’s recruitment and retention of disabled people.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is a Disability Confident Leader. While there are no dedicated roles working on Disability Confident, several teams lead work to support the scheme. This includes the recruitment team that ensures activity is compliant with the scheme, and all recruiting managers are provided with information on how to apply the scheme. The department monitors data regularly to ensure that the scheme is effectively applied. DESNZ provides prospective candidates with information on reasonable adjustments that can be made in line with our legal obligations. The department’s Disability Confident self-assessment has been validated and is regularly reviewed.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Net Zero Research and Innovation Delivery Plan on the UK's target to become a science and technology superpower by 2030.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Net Zero Research & Innovation Delivery Plan supports the UK's target to become a science and technology superpower by setting out government investment of approximately £4.2 billion in research and innovation that is directed towards creating strategic advantage in net zero technologies and aims to boost private sector investment in this space. This investment forms a key part of the government's commitment to increase public expenditure on R&D to £20 billion per annum by 2024/2025 and helps maintain the UK's spend on R&D in this space compared to other leading OECD countries.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 delivers more offshore wind capacity than Allocation Round 5.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 6 March 2024, the Government confirmed over £1 billion of budget will be available in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 auction, including £800 million allocated to offshore wind. This followed the announcement in November that the administrative strike

prices for fixed and floating offshore wind had been increased by 66% and over 50% respectively, since the previous allocation round. This budget announcement makes this the largest round yet, with four times more budget available to offshore wind than in the previous round.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to support disabled people who use medical equipment in their homes with their energy costs.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

We recognise the cost-of-living challenges faced by vulnerable people. The Government is providing extensive financial support to households in a package worth over £108 billion, or £3,800 per household on average, over 2022-2025. This includes the uprating of working age benefits by 6.7% this year.

We are also continuing to support eligible low-income households through the Warm Home Discount, providing an annual £150 rebate off energy bills until 2025-26.

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 a recent assessment of the potential merits of amending the trial trenching requirements for ground-mounted solar projects (a) to delay trial trenching until after consent has been granted and (b) in other ways.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Planning guidance on assessing potential impacts of large-scale solar projects on the historic environment is set out in the recently published Energy National Policy Statements. In most cases, applicants are required to seek expert assessment. Where assessments include investigative work, such as trial trenching, this should be proportionate.

Conducting this work during the pre-application planning phase enables developers to take into account findings and, if necessary, mitigate impacts by adapting project design at an early stage. It provides a robust evidence base to support decision making, helping to avoid delays after applications have been submitted or post consent.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the report by Key Cities Innovation Network entitled Civic partners in Net Zero, published in April 2024, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of local civic partnerships with universities in achieving net zero targets.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that both local organisations and universities can, and do, play an important role in driving local action on net zero and is supportive of them working together to do so. We provide a range of support for Local areas to decarbonise, for example through our Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to ensure trial trenching requirements for ground-mounted solar farms are proportionate to the amount of land disturbed through their construction and operation.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As set out in the updated Energy National Policy Statements, the extent of investigative work to assess potential impacts of ground mount solar projects on the historic environment, including trial trenching, should be proportionate to the sensitivity of, and extent of, proposed ground disturbance in the associated study area.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trial trenching requirements on (a) costs for solar project developers and (b) investment in ground-mounted solar projects.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Planning consents will set requirements for pre-construction archaeological surveys where appropriate, and techniques used may include trial trenching. The most appropriate technique is likely to depend on the specific circumstances in each case.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has made support available to people whose air source heat pump, installed by someone certified by the microgeneration certification scheme through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, breaks down and the installer is no-longer certified.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which is the leading standards and quality assurance organisation for microgeneration technologies in the UK, is the certification scheme for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). All installers that participate in the RHI are required to be a member of MCS.

Consumers in this situation should contact MCS. It has a procedure that enables another MCS certified installer to take over responsibility for the consumer’s installation, so the consumer should not suffer any detriment or require support.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the certification programme for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which is the leading standards and quality assurance organisation for microgeneration technologies in the UK, is the certification scheme for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). All installers that participate in the RHI are required to be a member of MCS.

MCS conducted a public consultation on its operating model in 2023, and is currently implementing a programme of reform to strengthen its support for consumers. The department continues to work with MCS and its stakeholders to monitor the impact of these reforms.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Great British Nuclear prior to their decision to rule out Trawsfynydd as a site for a small modular reactor.

Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Trawsfynydd has not been ruled out as a potential site for new nuclear and is one of a number of potential sites that could host new civil nuclear projects, subject to National planning policy, regulatory approvals and technical assessments. Decisions on the projects and technologies to be deployed at sites will be made in due course and Great British Nuclear continues to work with Government to support access to potential sites for new nuclear projects to achieve its long-term nuclear programme ambitions.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to her Department's publication of spending over £500 using a government procurement card from October to December 2023 on 17 May 2024, for what purpose payments were made of (a) £662.70 to Paul on 10 October 2023, (b) £2,157.60 to Revolution Events on 6 November 2023, (c) £865.64 to Hilton International on 16 November 2023, and (d) £1,023.02 to Orbis Coffee on 17 November 2023.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We can confirm that the only information we hold regarding the purpose of these payments is related to the provision of catering, conference attendance and accommodation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether any ministerial redundancy payments have been repaid to her Department since 2019.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero did not exist between 2019 and January 2023, we are unable to provide data on ministerial redundancies for this period.

The Department has reviewed its records and do not have any evidence of the repayment of ministerial redundancy payments since its formation in February 2023.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to her Department's publication of spending over £500 using a government procurement card from October to December 2023 on 17 May 2024, for what purpose payments totalling £3,417 were made to Mons Hospitality between 22 November and 9 December 2023.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We can confirm that the only information we hold regarding the purpose of these payments to Mons Hospitality over the timeframe stated is related to the provision of food and drink/catering at COP28

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether hybrid heat pumps count towards the target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government response to the Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency consultation confirmed that we remain of the view that hybrid heat pumps can play an important role in heat decarbonisation up to 2028 as part of the target to reach 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) including additional reconciliation windows until 2027 and (b) other alternative proposals to the proposed Energy Bill Relief Scheme final reconciliation date of May 2024.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department understands the concerns raised by both industry trade bodies and individual energy suppliers, on the potential impact of the proposed reconciliation date for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. To that end, the Department has been working closely with the concerned parties to develop a reconciliation proposal for the £7.5 billion scheme, that strikes the right balance of addressing suppliers concerns and protecting public funds, including potentially adding additional reconciliation windows.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential (a) merits of introducing a standing charge relief for electric vehicle charge point operators and (b) impact of such a relief on the deployment of electric vehicle charge points in rural areas.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The setting of standing charges associated with tariffs is a commercial matter for suppliers, and suppliers have the flexibility in how they structure their tariffs. Ofgem regulates standing charges, as they do with other elements of billing.

The Government is pleased that Ofgem is considering the issue of standing charges through their recent Call for Input and looks forward to hearing its findings and future proposals. The Government expects bills to be fair and affordable for all consumers (including for electric vehicle charging), that standing charges are kept as low as possible, and that the right costs are recovered.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to help increase the deployment of electric vehicle charge points in rural areas.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government wants people across the country to have the opportunity to make the move to electric vehicles wherever they live and work.

Our £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund aims to address regional charging inequality and transform the availability of EV charging for drivers. The data-led allocation model to award funding considers the level of rurality with local authorities in rural areas allocated additional funding compared to urban ones.

In addition, the Workplace Charging Scheme supports businesses including charities, small accommodation businesses, public sector organisations, and state-funded education institutions with grants for chargepoints.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Ofgem Targeted Charging Review on the rollout of electric vehicle charge points.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Targeted Charging Review is a matter for Ofgem. The 2019 Targeted Charging Review reviewed network charging arrangements, including the allocation of standing charges.

Ofgem is considering the issue of standing charges through their recent Call for Input and we look forward to hearing its findings and future proposals. We expect bills to be fair and affordable for all consumers (including for electric vehicle charging), that standing charges are kept as low as possible, and that the right costs are recovered.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the levels of standing charges for electric vehicle chargers.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The setting of standing charges is a commercial matter for suppliers, and suppliers have the flexibility in how they structure their tariffs. Ofgem regulates standing charges, as they do with other elements of billing.

The Government is pleased that Ofgem is considering the issue of standing charges through their recent Call for Input and looks forward to hearing its findings and future proposals. The Government expects bills to be fair and affordable for all consumers (including for electric vehicle charging), that standing charges are kept as low as possible, and that the right costs are recovered.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding eligibility for the Warm Home Discount in the next scheme year.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

From winter 2022 the Government extended the Warm Home Discount to support more households in fuel poverty, who have low incomes and live in homes that are costly to heat. For winter 2023/24 we lowered the threshold for a property to be considered costly to heat and we expect over 3 million households to have received the rebate. The official WHD statistics for 2023/24 will be published on 20^th June.

As the scheme is funded by participating energy suppliers, we have struck a balance between supporting as many households as possible, providing meaningful support, and limiting the impact on wider consumer bills.

Energy prices have significantly fallen in the past year. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will keep options under review, including with respect to the most vulnerable households.

In addition, the Government produced impact assessments for the consultation in 2021 on expanding and reforming the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales and for the publication of the Government Response in 2022, which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/warm-home-discount-better-targeted-support-from-2022

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 20 May 2024 to Question 26615 on Energy: Debts, what is the (a) sum, (b) quantum and (c) value of the element of the Default Tariff Cap allocated by Ofgem for consumer debt held by suppliers.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Ofgem includes an ‘adjustment allowance’ in the price cap calculation to account for elements such as consumer debt. In the April-June 2024 price cap, the amount is £28 per typical domestic customer bill per year.

Ofgem publishes price cap calculations on its website: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-policy-and-regulation/policy-and-regulatory-programmes/energy-price-cap-default-tariff-policy/energy-price-cap-default-tariff-levels

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Energy Bill Relief Scheme final reconciliation date of May 2024 on the non-domestic energy sector in the (a) medium- and (b) long-term.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department has met with energy suppliers and their trade bodies to develop the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) reconciliation arrangements. To that end, the Department has been working closely with suppliers to develop an evidence base, needed to enact any effective change to the policy that met the concerns of industry whilst also ensuring the return of any public money owed.

Notably, the Department issued a Request for Information (RFI), in March, in order to gather the necessary evidence and data that would inform any effective policy change. Whilst the returns were not as detailed as expected, this did allow the Department to develop an amended approach that struck a balance between industry concerns and the need to return taxpayer funds if owed.

Details of the proposed amended approach have been shared with both industry bodies, the I&C Shippers and Suppliers (ICoSS) and Energy UK, in early May. This was presented to all suppliers and trade bodies at a roundtable chaired by the Department on 22 May.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of hybrid heat pumps in reducing household emissions.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The emission reduction potential of hybrid heat pumps is dependent on several factors, including the proportion of heating delivered by the heat pump.

The Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project, delivered by Energy Systems Catapult, showed that, for hybrid heat pumps installed under the project, the median proportion of space heating delivered by the heat pump was around 40%.

The Government will continue to gather further evidence and monitor technological and market developments.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions her Department has had with industry stakeholders on the proposed Energy Bill Relief Scheme final reconciliation date in May 2024.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department values strong working relationships with both industry trade bodies, and the individual energy suppliers that they represent. The Department hosted a roundtable on 6 March 2024 with energy suppliers and industry bodies to discuss the final reconciliation arrangements of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS).

Since then, taking on board feedback received from suppliers and trade bodies, the Department has shared further details on a proposed revised reconciliation approach with energy suppliers, and in early May officials met with the I&C Shippers and Suppliers (ICoSS) and Energy UK (gas and electricity industry trade bodies) to also share the proposed approach.

A further roundtable with all suppliers and trade bodies was held on 22 May, where officials shared current thinking on the EBRS reconciliation and offboarding approach.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has taken steps with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to increase the offshore wind capacity delivered in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 compared to Allocation Round 5.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 6 March 2024, the Government confirmed over £1 billion of budget will be available in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 auction, including £800 million allocated to offshore wind. This followed the announcement in November that the administrative strike prices for fixed and floating offshore wind had been increased by 66% and over 50% respectively, since the previous allocation round.

This budget announcement makes this the largest round yet, with four times more budget available to offshore wind than in the previous round.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the feasibility of producing green gas from grass-fed anaerobic digesters, and (2) the claim by the Green Foundation and Ecotricity in their May 2022 report, Green Gas: The Green Economy under our feet, that there is enough grassland in Britain to produce all the gas needed to heat British homes.

Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) is already growing the biomethane market by supporting grid injected biomethane. All feedstocks, including grass, must meet the relevant sustainability criteria and be verified for eligibility by the scheme administrator, Ofgem.

The Government will consult on a future framework for biomethane to follow the GGSS. Following a Call for Evidence, my department is assessing the feasibility of producing biomethane from a variety of feedstocks, including grass, and is aware of this report. A key focus will be the use of sustainable feedstocks, which can deliver the required carbon savings to help meet Net Zero.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of shared ground loops on decarbonising heat for (a) properties without space for individual heat pumps, (b) tower blocks and (c) small terraces.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department plans to take to support clean heat installations via Wave 3 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Green Heat Network Fund in supporting shared ground loop installations.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of updating the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include shared ground loop systems.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management in each year since its creation.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the Committee on Fuel Poverty in each year since its creation.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the UK Atomic Energy Authority in each year since 2015.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left Salix Finance Ltd in each year since 2015.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the North Sea Transition Authority staff in each year since its creation.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in each year since 2015.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the Committee on Climate Change in each year since its creation.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left Great British Nuclear in each year since its creation.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the Coal Authority in each year since 2015.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment she has made of progress by (a) the oil and gas sector and (b) her Department towards meeting (i) targets and (ii) commitments under the North Sea Transition Deal.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has had recent discussions with trade unions on workers' needs in the context of the transition from oil and gas to renewable energy.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of heat pump installers there are.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the number of full-time permanent staff required for Great British Nuclear to fulfill its remit; how many and what proportion of that number has been recruited as of 21 May 2024; and what estimate she has made of the date by which Great British Nuclear will be fully staffed by permanent employees.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available for people (a) during and (b) after installation of heat pumps through the microgeneration certification scheme under the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in cases in which the installers are no longer able to (i) complete installation and (ii) provide post-installation support.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release entitled Families, business and industry to get energy efficiency support, published on 18 December 2023, what her Department's timeframe is for publishing the guidance on the new local authority retrofit scheme.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department (a) is taking and (b) plans to take steps to encourage the use of balcony solar in urban environments.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effectiveness of vehicle-to-grid technology.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress her Department has made on the installation of large-scale battery storage facilities across the UK.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when she plans to publish a strategic roadmap for solar.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of shared ground loops on the decarbonisation of domestic heating; and if she will take steps to improve the design of heat network (a) zoning and (b) regulation to support these heat networks.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the professional skills of certified installers for the microgeneration certification scheme under the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left the Civil Nuclear Police Authority in each year since 2015.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have left Ofgem in each year since 2015.

Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Found: for Energy Security & Net Zero, Responding to the Climate Change Committee’ s 2023 Annual Progress

Found: They will need to work closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to

Found: The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) aims to reach 600,000 heat pump installations

Found: Correspondence from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero in relation to large-scale nuclear

Found: For example, at COP28 DESNZ welcomed a large cohort of OT Ministers and representatives as part

Found: This is reported to DESNZ on a quarterly basis across the industry.

Found: Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP Secretary of State Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 55 Whitehall

Found: for Energy Security & Net Zero, Powering Up Britain—Energy Security Plan , March 2023 5 Q49 6 Climate

Found: Lord Callanan Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Department

Found: DWP and JCP will play a significant part in this, alongside others in DfE, DESNZ and Defra, by ensuring

Found: Andrew Bowie MP Minister for Nuclear and Renewables Department

Found: Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP Secretary of State Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 55 Whitehall

Found: Since we saw the machinery of government changes that brought out the creation of DSIT, DBT and DESNZ

Found: Letter from Baroness Sheehan to the Secretary of State for DESNZ 22.05.2024 Correspondence

Found: We do not have joined-up government between DESNZ, the Department for Transport, and the Department

Found: Helen Edmundson: A DESNZ consultation. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: It is a DESNZ consultation.

Found: numerous meetings with the Crown Estate and with a variety of government departments—Defra, DfT, DESNZ

Found: Q144 Lord Lucas: Is part of the problem that different teams in DESNZ work on different bits of energy

Found: Andrew Bowie MP Minister for Nuclear and Renewables Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Found: A recent case study from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) demonstrated that

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many acres of prime farmland have been used for solar farms, what assessment they have made of impact such practices, and what assessment they have made of the proportion of land used for solar farms in particular areas.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

While the Government does not currently publish the figures requested, the WMS laid before parliament on 15 May commits that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will expand the Renewable Energy Planning Database to include additional information on the types of agricultural land used by existing projects and those in the planning pipeline. This will enable us to carefully monitor the use of land by renewable projects in all regions of the UK.

Found: 0.434782608695652 2 0.0869565217391304 26 7 0.269230769230769 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 Dept. for Energy Security and Net Zero7 DESNZ

Found: 0.0869565217391304 26 7 0.269230769230769 0 0.0 8 0 0.0 0 0.0 Dept. for Energy Security and Net Zero [note 7] DESNZ

Found: Level Agreement is not soley held within MDP, but by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: This included an expectation, responsibility for which falls to the recently created Department for

Found: This included an expectation, responsibility for which falls to the recently created Department for

Found: Unit (SAU) has published a report providing advice to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: of the Act (the Assessment).1 1.3 This report is based on the information provided to the SAU by DESNZ

Found: Unit (SAU) has published a report providing advice to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: Regulated Asset (RAB) Policy Costs subsidy scheme by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: the-companies-strategic-report-and-directors-report-amendment-regulations-2023-rpc-opiniongreen-rated2023-07-05 00:00:00RPC-DESNZ

Found: DESNZ is ultimately responsible for granting the subsidy , based on its own assessment, having the

Found: 20 pages Details The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has published its report providing advice to DESNZ

Found: Regulated Asset Base (RAB) Policy Costs subsidy scheme by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: Advisers, The King’s Regulations and the Diplomatic Service Code 2 Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: Advisers, The King’s Regulations and the Diplomatic Service Code 2 Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: Costain has a relationship with HMG - it was awarded funding by BEIS last year (now DESNZ) for the H2Juice

Found: Director General, Energy and Security now sits with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: DESNZ confirme d the details Ms Whittington provided, including: a.

Found: DESNZ confirme d the details Ms Whittington provided, including: a.

Found: worked with Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) and the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: We will work closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ensure that our

Found: addresses (please identify all contracting authorities responsible for the procedure) Official name: DESNZ

Found: figure shows the three main kinds of ionising radiation and materials they can penetrate (Source: DESNZ

Found: Milestones/Targets): Maintain below 50g CO2e per kilowatt hour Most Recent Data: 2021 Data Source(s): Department