Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent steps her Department has taken to increase the use of tidal stream renewable energy technologies; and whether she has had recent discussions with her international counterparts on the use of this technology.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Tidal stream is eligible for the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, the UK’s main mechanism for supporting low-carbon generation. In the last CfD allocation round a record 11 tidal stream contracts were secured with a capacity of over 53MW. This is a world-leading deployment in Scottish and Welsh waters, and the first time that tidal stream power has been procured at this scale.

The Department engages on tidal stream internationally across Europe and beyond, including at the Ocean Energy Europe conference in October 2023.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to amend the methodology used to set administrative strike prices for all renewable technologies in the Contracts for Difference allocation round six.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government reviews auction parameters, including Administrative Strike Prices (ASP) and the ASP methodology, ahead of every Contracts for Difference Allocation Round. Considering recent price volatility and that no offshore wind technologies were successful in Allocation Round 5, the Government has conducted a thorough review of its cost assumptions ahead of Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to ensuring that it sets the parameters at a level that would allow sustainably priced projects in the pipeline to compete in the auction. The ASP methodology will be published alongside core parameters in November 2023.

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 introducing a temporary help to repay scheme that provides repayment matching and debt relief for energy arrears that cannot be afforded by consumers.

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

The Government understands the challenges that are posed by cost of living pressures that includes energy bills and the impact of debt. However, energy prices have fallen significantly with the price cap more than halving from £4,279 at the start of this year to £1,834 since the start of October.

This coincides with the £900 cost of living payment being provided by the Government across 2023/24, which has increased from the £650 provided the previous year. The Government continues to closely monitor energy prices and will keep support schemes under review.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department plans to provide increased levels of financial support to consumers who have accumulated energy debt.

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

The Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures, including the impact of energy bills and debt, and is already providing extensive financial support to households. The Government has spent nearly £40 billion protecting households and businesses from spiralling energy bills over last winter, covering around half a typical household’s energy bill, and this comes in addition to the £900 cost of living payments being delivered across 2023/24. This payment has already increased from the £650 payments provided the previous year.

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 consultation entitled Planning for new energy infrastructure: revisions to National Policy Statements, when she plans to publish the revised National Policy Statement EN-5.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government carried out a public consultation which closed on 23 June and is on track to present the updated National Policy Statements to Parliament and publish them alongside the response to the Electricity Networks Commissioner’s Report later this month.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will provide a new social energy tariff for (a) low income households and (b) households with energy-intensive medical equipment.

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

The Government is continually reviewing the financial support it provides for the differing energy needs within its communities and prioritising support for the most vulnerable. The Help for Households campaign includes numerous cost-of-living support schemes in 2023/2024, such as the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Disability Cost of Living Payment and the Cost-of-Living Payment for those on means tested benefits which has increased from £650 in 2022/2023 to £900 in 2023/2024.

The Energy Price Guarantee was introduced in October 2022 to protect millions of households from the rising high cost of energy. The outlook for energy prices has improved significantly since last year’s Autumn Statement, with the Ofgem price cap falling 55% since its peak earlier this year, which is good news for households who have seen their energy prices fall.

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 increasing the Warm Home Discount in line with the increases to the Ofgem price cap.

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

From winter 2022 the Government extended and expanded the Warm Home Discount to support more households in fuel poverty, by increasing the spending envelope from £350m to £475m (in 2020 prices) and also raising the rebate to £150. This winter, we expect over 3 million households to receive the increased rebate.

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.

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 policy paper entitled Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan, published in March 2023, when she plans to consult on options for a new approach to consumer protection.

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

As set out in Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan, we are exploring the best approach to consumer protection, as part of wider retail market reforms. The government continues to monitor the situation and will keep options under review, including with respect to the most vulnerable households.

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 reduce the number of people in debt to their energy supplier.

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

Ofgem’s licence conditions require energy suppliers to support consumers at risk of or in energy debt.

Citizens Advice and energy companies have jointly launched a campaign called, ‘Speak, Seek and Save’ to support consumers struggling to afford their energy bills. To get assistance, customers should first contact their energy supplier, and the supplier should create suitable payment plans based on the customer’s ability to pay.

Additionally, the government's 'Breathing Space' program offers support to consumers in debt by giving them legal protections from creditors for 60 days. Customers in debt can apply to a debt adviser for a breathing space.

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 had recent discussions with energy companies on the impact of reduced network coverage for smart meters on the ability of people to install domestic electric vehicle chargers.

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

Direct Communications Company (DCC) Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage for smart meters has no impact on the ability of energy consumers to install electric vehicle charging points at their properties.

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 energy suppliers on ensuring that disabled households are supported with the cost of energy.

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

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had numerous discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including energy suppliers and charitable organisations, on this very important issue.

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 charities that support disabled people with energy costs.

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

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had numerous discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including energy suppliers and charitable organisations, on this very important issue.

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 policy paper entitled Biomass Strategy 2023, published on 10 August 2023, when she plans to publish the updated UK and Global Bioenergy Resource Model.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is currently commissioning an independent peer review of the model, and following this, the Government plans to publish the model as soon as practicable.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government plans to lay before Parliament an updated Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, published in March, sets out the proposals and policies that enable carbon budgets 4, 5 and 6 to be met.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State keeps under review the UK's progress towards net zero. The Government has exceeded every carbon budget to date and is confident in its ability to meet its targets and net zero by 2050.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many miners' widows were recipients of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (a) in Easington constituency and (b) nationally in October 2023.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As of 30 June 2023, there were 23,974 spouse/dependant pensioners in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. It is unclear how many of these are widows and the Government does not have the equivalent figure for the constituency. These are the most recent figures available.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many miners were recipients of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (a) in Easington constituency and (b) nationally in October 2023.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As of 30 June 2023, there were 119,651 members in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, including 3,563 in Easington constituency. These are the most recent figures available.

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 and proportion of care recipients who are in fuel poverty in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield and (c) London.

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

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero do not hold the data for the number and proportion of care recipients that are in fuel poverty in the Enfield North Constituency, the London Borough of Enfield or London. The latest sub regional fuel poverty statistics show that we consider 12.8% (5,471) of households to be in fuel poverty in the constituency of Enfield North, 13.8% (17,591) in the London Borough of Enfield and 11.9% (431,366) in London.

Sub regional fuel poverty statistics for England can be found through:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sub-regional-fuel-poverty-data-2023-2021-data

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps is her Department is taking to support customers with rising levels of energy consumer debt.

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

The Government recognises the challenges posed by the impact of high energy bills and debt and is already providing extensive financial support to households. The Government provided nearly £40 billion to protect households and businesses from spiralling energy bills over last winter.

Ofgem recently announced new customer service standards to help support those who maybe struggling with their bills this winter, including requirements on suppliers to: contact customers if they miss payments, offer support such as affordable payment plans if they are struggling, prioritise vulnerable customers and offer free contact methods for people struggling to pay their bills.

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 merits of allowing private tenants who would otherwise qualify for the Warm Homes Discount but are ineligible because they pay for their energy costs through their landlord to receive the Warm Homes Discount as a direct payment into their bank account.

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

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Liverpool, Walton (Dan Carden) on 7 September 2023 to Question UIN 196887.

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 a recent assessment of the adequacy of the liquidity of the electricity wholesale market.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is aware that in recent years liquidity has been falling in the GB wholesale electricity market which has made it more challenging for suppliers and generators to manage their financial risks. Concerns over low liquidity were elevated in 2022/23 due to high and volatile wholesale energy prices, which have now stabilised somewhat.

As the electricity market regulator, Ofgem is responsible for ensuring that the wholesale electricity market is sufficiently liquid to provide efficient outcomes for consumers. The Department will also consider how to ensure liquidity is maintained in future market arrangements through its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department are taking to provide financial support for energy costs to people with (a) motor neurone disease and (b) other conditions who run assistive medical equipment in their homes.

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

The Government keeps under continual review the financial support it provides for the differing energy needs within different communities and prioritises support for the most vulnerable.

Last winter the government paid around half of the typical household's energy Bill. And going into this winter, The Government has in place multiple schemes to support households with energy costs. These include the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Disability Cost of Living Payment and the Cost-of-Living Payment for those on means tested benefits which has increased from up to £650 in 2022/2023 to £900 in 2023/2024.

Additionally, the default tariff price cap and Energy Price Guarantee will continue work together to protect consumers as the EPG will remain in place as a safety net until March 2024 should wholesale prices increase significantly during this period.

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 Answer of 23 October 2023 to Question 203412 on Electricity: Standing Charges, whether costs are calculated according to the location of where energy is (a) produced and (b) landed.

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

The way in which network charges are set, including questions about how network charges reflect where energy is produced and landed, is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator.

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 requiring energy suppliers to credit domestic users where energy is (a) produced and (b) landed in their locality.

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

The way in which network charges are set, including questions about how network charges reflect where energy is produced and landed, is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator.

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 impact of Storm Babet on operations in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK’s offshore oil and gas industry is well-prepared for extreme weather through its long history of North Sea operations, with regular winter preparedness workshops held between regulators, industry trade bodies, and their members.

Storm Babet had a limited impact on offshore oil and gas industry operations overall. One reported incident involved the Stena Spey semi-submersible, which lost four of its eight anchors. The Government is aware that another offshore installation lost an anchor. Additionally, storm-related disruption to helicopter flights impacted workers for up to four days, although flights have since returned to normal operation.

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 offshore oil and gas workers that were affected by the suspension of helicopter transport services as a result of Storm Babet.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is unable to estimate the number of offshore oil and gas workers that were affected by the suspension of helicopter flights because of Storm Babet. The Government is aware that some workers were impacted for up to four days, but also understands that flights offshore have since returned to normal operation. There are approximately 9,000 workers offshore at any given time.

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 adequacy of the powers of the Energy Ombudsman to implement its rulings in (a) full and (b) a timely manner.

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

The Energy Ombudsman is an independent, not for profit company appointed by Ofgem as the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body for the energy sector under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes Regulations 2015. As the Competent Authority, it is the responsibility of Ofgem to carry out an assessment of the Energy Ombudsman’s performance. Ofgem does this every two years to ensure the company meets the approval criteria as an ADR body. A copy of the most recent assessment for the period of 2019-2021 is available on Ofgem’s website at: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/biennial-assessment-ombudsman-services-under-adr-regulations-2019-2021.

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 implications for her polices of the planned installation of a (a) sub-sea electricity generation and (b) storage connection between the UK and Morocco by 2030.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is interested in the Xlinks UK-Morocco Power Project, which is a proposed large scale onshore wind, solar and battery storage site in Morocco that would exclusively supply renewable power to the GB grid via high voltage direct current subsea cables.

The Government recognises the potential of the project and is now developing an Outline Business Case, which is a more detailed phase of evaluating – without commitment – the viability and merits of the project and how it could contribute to the UK’s energy security.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will commission a working group to consider advances in cable ploughing technology before publishing a new EN-5 Electricity Networks National Policy Statement.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process. The design and development of energy transmission infrastructure, including which technology would be used for construction of a project, is a matter for the developer, with the implications of that choice considered through the planning process. The Government carried out a full public consultation on its National Policy Statements - including EN-5 - earlier this year and will shortly be publishing them and laying them before Parliament ahead of designation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) energy companies and (b) the German Energy Agency on a subsea cable to transfer renewable energy from Scottish offshore windfarms to Germany.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 3 November 2023, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State, signed a new partnership with Germany’s Vice Chancellor, Mr Robert Habeck. The partnership reaffirmed the UK and Germany's shared ambition to net zero, and committing to enhanced cooperation on offshore wind and electricity interconnection.

Officials have also met German industry to discuss projects which are in an early stage of development.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Energy Emergencies Committee has put forward proposals for an outcomes-focused physical network resilience standard.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Members of the Energy Emergencies Executive Committee (E3C) have developed proposals for an outcomes-focused physical network resilience standard. The standard will set public and government expectations and industry targets to guide planning and funding decisions by industry and the regulator, providing a consistent approach to emergency planning and management for both national and local severe weather events. This was a commitment in the Storm Arwen Review Final Report.

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 (a) maintaining a ringfence for tidal stream renewable energy technologies in allocation round six of the Contracts for Difference scheme and (b) setting a target of 1GW for tidal stream technologies by 2035.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is currently developing auction parameters for Allocation Round 6 of the Contracts for Difference scheme, including any for tidal stream, taking into account evidence of the pipeline of available projects. The Government will publish core parameters for the round later this month, and final parameters, including the budget, ahead of the round opening in March 2024.The Government will review the merits of setting an ambition for tidal stream deployment.

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 a recent assessment of the potential merits of restoring the market making obligation on major energy suppliers to improve liquidity in the wholesale electricity market.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As the electricity market regulator, Ofgem is responsible for ensuring that the wholesale electricity market is sufficiently liquid to provide efficient outcomes for consumers. Ofgem monitors liquidity in physical and financial markets and explores options to improve it. Alongside this, through the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, the Department is considering how to ensure liquidity is maintained as the UK transitions to future market arrangements.

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 the advertising of high-carbon products on (a) consumer choice and (b) the ability of the Government to fulfill its net zero ambitions.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media and operates independently of the Government. The ASA takes environmental issues seriously and addresses them through the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) Codes, which set the rules and standards for advertising to the marketing industry.

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 requiring energy providers to charge uniform standing charges for domestic users in all regions.

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

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, sets standing charges as part of the price cap, and standing charges include the network charges that Ofgem sets under the price controls.

Network charges vary by region to reflect the different costs of supplying consumers in each region. Ofgem carried out an assessment of moving away from regional charging and that showed that it would risk an increase in overall costs and reduce accountability to the customers being served.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help increase the uptake of local authority net zero schemes by small businesses in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield and (c) London.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that many small businesses across the UK are keen to tackle climate change but find it difficult to know how to start. The first step these businesses can take is to visit the UK Business Climate Hub. The Government has recently relaunched the content on the site, providing more up to date, practical and tailored advice on how to reduce emissions as well as signposting to additional resources.

More widely, Government support for local authorities in delivering net zero is outlined in the Net Zero Strategy and Net Zero Growth Plan.

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 offering repayment matching to households that are unable to afford their energy bills.

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

The Government understands the challenges that are posed by cost of living pressures that includes energy bills and the impact of debt. However, energy prices have fallen significantly with the price cap more than halving from £4,279 at the start of this year to £1,834 since the start of October.

This coincides with the £900 cost of living payment being provided by the Government across 2023/24, which has increased from the £650 provided the previous year. The Government continues to closely monitor energy prices and will keep support schemes under review.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps to encourage more people to take up the Warm Home Discount Scheme during winter 2023-24.

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

We are currently writing to around 4.5 million households, informing people that either they will receive the discount automatically or, in some cases, advising them to call the helpline with further information to check eligibility.

We are also working with consumer agencies, energy suppliers and other organisations to ensure accurate scheme information and to help them to raise awareness and advise their clients appropriately where they might benefit.

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 improve public awareness of the Priority Services Register.

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

There is regulation in place to promote awareness of the Priority Services Register (PSR). For example, condition 26 of Ofgem’s gas and electricity supply licence requires suppliers to take all reasonable steps to promote the existence of the PSR and identify consumers who are eligible for the PSR. Furthermore, Government supports the provision of information to consumers through Citizens Advice, who have a statutory duty to provide energy advice to consumers.

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 issued guidance to park home residents on what steps to take when the cost of insulating their homes exceeds the £15,000 price cap under phase two of the Home Upgrade Grant.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has not issued guidance as part of the Home Upgrade Grant to park home residents on steps to take when the cost of insulating their homes exceeds the £15,000 price cap. The Department has however issued guidance to Local Authorities (LAs) on what steps to take when the cost of insulating park homes exceeds the £15,000 cost cap which is an average across the stock being upgraded. LAs can build funding ‘headroom’ on park homes which do not require as much funding, due to fewer or less expensive measures. LAs are therefore able to spend more than £15,000 on individual park homes where they have built up the headroom to do so.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to increase the £15,000 price cap for park home properties under phase two of the Home Upgrade Grant.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

There are no current plans to increase the £15,000 price cap for park home properties in phase two of the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). However, under HUG Local Authorities (LAs) may spend up to £15,000, on average, to install energy efficiency or low carbon heating measures in park homes. This means that LAs can spend less than £15,000 on park homes that need fewer measures, and more than £15,000 on those park homes that need more extensive work – so long as the average cost across the stock being upgraded is £15,000 or less.

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 increase public awareness of the Priority Services Register.

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

There is regulation in place to promote awareness of the Priority Services Register (PSR)

For example, condition 26 of Ofgem’s gas and electricity supply licence requires suppliers to take all reasonable steps to promote the existence of the PSR and identify consumers who are eligible for the PSR.

Furthermore, Government supports the provision of information to consumers through Citizens Advice, who have a statutory duty to provide energy advice to consumers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what lessons they have learned from the disbanding of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce.

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

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce could be streamlined into ongoing government activity. The numerous ideas, discussions and draft recommendations will be instrumental in driving forward energy efficiency.

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 help ensure that people have access to (a) independent and (b) tailored advice when making decisions about retrofitting their homes to make them more energy efficient.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The ‘find ways to save energy in your home’ service was launched to offer tailored and independent recommendations for home improvement and retrofit. The Government also launched eligibility checkers for the Great British Insulation Scheme and Home Upgrade Grant: Phase 2 schemes, allowing eligible individuals to create a referral to either their Local Authority or Energy Supplier to take forward the home retrofit. These digital services are complemented by a national phoneline service.

The Government is working on enhancing its independent and tailored advice services to provide a better user experience.

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 rate of adoption of heat pumps.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has set an ambition of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028 and is taking forward a range of measures to support it. This includes funding installations through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (with an increased grant of £7,500) and through our ‘Help to Heat’ capital schemes.

The Government is also introducing regulatory measures, such as the Clean Heat Market Mechanism and the Future Homes Standard, investing up to £60 million in the Heat Pump Ready innovation programme to help overcome barriers to heat pump deployment and supporting training for installers through the £5m Heat Training Grant.

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 raise public awareness of (a) the availability of and (b) support for energy efficiency retrofitting measures for homes.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In October, the Government launched the new Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency public campaign that provides trusted information on energy efficiency measures, prompting people to identify and take first steps towards improvements. The campaign also promotes the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Great British Insulation Scheme and Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 eligibility checkers as well as the ‘Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home’ service. The digital services are complemented by a national phoneline service.

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 has taken to lessen the upfront cost of retrofitting for (a) lower- and (b) middle-income households.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

To support households with the upfront costs of retrofitting, the Government is investing £6.6 billion over this Parliament on clean heat and improving energy efficiency in buildings, and a further £6 billion of new Government funding will be made available from 2025 to 2028.

In addition, the Energy Company Obligation and GB Insulation Scheme, worth £5 billion in total, offer free or highly subsidised retrofits to lower and middle-income households living in energy inefficient homes.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in relation to (1) training additional heat pump engineers, (2) supporting heat pump manufacturers, and (3) making heat pumps more affordable for consumers, in order to ensure that they meet their target of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028.

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

The Government has set out a package of policies to help install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028:

On training, the £5 million Heat Training Grant is expected to support 6,000 trainees in England to become heat pump installers.

On manufacturing, the £30 million Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition aims to increase our manufacturing capacity.

On affordability, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of £7,500 for heat pump installations, VAT has been eliminated on heat pump installations until 2027, and the Heat Pump Ready innovation programme supports projects to reduce whole life costs of heat pumps.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide consumers with updated guidance on the benefits of heat pump technology and its suitability for their homes.

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

In July 2022, the Government launched an online tool on GOV.UK which provides tailored advice to households about whether their home could be suitable for a heat pump, the upfront costs and links to further information.

An improved version of the Tool is in development and due to be launched next year.

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 encourage more people to take up the Energy Support Scheme during winter 2023-24.

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

The Energy Bills Support Scheme was a Government initiative to help 29 million households with energy bills over winter 2022/23. Eligible households received a £400 non-repayable Government discount. This scheme is now closed.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will publish a best practice guide for park home insulation.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In addition to updating existing best practice guidance documents for insulation measures, the Department is working with industry to publish a best practice guide for park homes insulation. A date for publication of the park homes guide will be confirmed in due course.

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 has taken to support people in the private rental sector to access retrofitting schemes.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is spending £6bn this Parliament and a further £6bn to 2028 on making buildings cleaner and warmer. In addition, £5bn will be delivered through the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme up to March 2026.

In September, the Government launched a new eligibility tool on its ‘Help for Households’ GOV.UK page to help people find the support available to them via the Home Upgrade Grant and the Great British Insulation Scheme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the value was of non-cash vouchers awarded to staff working for her core Department as performance-related bonuses in 2022-23.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero did not exist as a separate department in 2022-23. It is not possible to split the value of the non-cash voucher awards from the rest of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The value of non-cash voucher awards for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in 2022-23 was £337,255.

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 estimate of the average lifespan of a park home, in context of potential opportunities for carbon cost savings.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

While an estimate has not been undertaken by the Government of the lifespan of park homes, the Government supports park home residents in the transition to net zero through the Homes Upgrade Grant, Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme.

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 monitor the environmental impact of oil and gas exploration in the period after licensing rounds increase in frequency.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK has a comprehensive legal framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities which will continue to apply. This covers the entire oil and gas life cycle, from the initial licence application to decommissioning activities. All activities that could impact the environment are subject to rigorous environmental assessment, and offshore activities are controlled through an environmental permitting process. There is also an inspection and enforcement regime in place to monitor compliance with the conditions included in environmental approvals.

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 the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of new offshore oil and gas licences on the UK’s ability to meet the 30x30 commitment under the Kunming-Montreal Agreement.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK is committed to the 30 by 30 global target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The UK has a comprehensive legal framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities, and this will continue to apply to new licences. It covers the entire oil and gas life cycle, from the initial licence application to decommissioning activities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the Government’s policy is on managing the marine impacts of oil and gas licensing.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The mission of the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is to drive up the environmental performance of the offshore oil and gas industries, ensuring they minimise their impact on the environment and support the UK’s net zero transition.

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 the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential environmental impact of new offshore oil and gas licences on marine protected areas.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK has a comprehensive legal framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities, which will apply to new licences. It covers the entire oil and gas life cycle, from the initial licence application to decommissioning activities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s policy is on managing the marine impacts of oil and gas licensing.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The mission of the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is to drive up the environmental performance of the offshore oil and gas industries, ensuring they minimise their impact on the environment and support the UK’s net zero transition.

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 discussions with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of new offshore oil and gas licences on the UK’s ability to meet the 30x30 commitment under the Kunming-Montreal Agreement.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK is committed to the 30 by 30 global target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The UK has a comprehensive legal framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities, and this will continue to apply to new licences. It covers the entire oil and gas life cycle, from the initial licence application to decommissioning activities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of insulating park homes under the phase two of the Home Update Grant.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

£630m has been allocated to Local Authorities (LAs) for Phase 2 of the Home Upgrade Grant, which began in April 2023. So far around £1.5m has been released to LAs for 113 park homes. Under this Phase, up to 10% of the total homes improved by a LA may be park homes; LAs may spend up to £15,000, on average, to install energy efficiency or low carbon heating measures in park homes.

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 community energy schemes in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield and (c) London.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The new £10m Community Energy Fund will enable rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects, supporting local growth and enabling places to benefit directly from clean, locally owned energy. The Government will launch applications to the Fund as soon as possible and Community Energy Groups in London, including in the London Borough of Enfield and the Enfield North constituency, will be able to apply through the Greater South East Local Net Zero Hub.

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 with energy companies to support the installation of energy efficiency measures through ECO4 in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield and (c) London.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government sets the overall target and rules for the delivery of the Energy Company Obligation but does not direct where measures are installed; that is left to the obligated energy suppliers and their installers.

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 with the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the potential impact of trends in the level of inflation on the Government's net zero policies.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with my Rt hon Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer on a number of issues. The Government has robust monitoring in place across the net zero space and is supporting net zero businesses and investors. The Government monitors the impact of inflation to ensure that its legal commitments are met, while setting out a proportionate, pragmatic approach to delivering net zero that reduces the costs and burdens on British families.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help attract investment in offshore wind manufacturing.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero works closely with the Department for Business and Trade and other relevant Government departments to attract investment in offshore wind manufacturing.

The UK remains an attractive market for offshore wind investment. SeAH Wind’s new monopile factory and JDR Cables’ subsea cable facility are expected to complete their construction and begin operations by the end of 2024.

The Department is also delivering the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS), worth up to £160 million, to support investment in the port infrastructure needed to deploy large-scale floating offshore wind turbines.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that (a) towers and (b) blades for offshore wind farms are manufactured in the UK.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that the development of a competitive and sustainable supply chain is crucial to its ambition to deliver up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating offshore wind.

The Government is working with industry through the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) on priorities for supply chain development, with the aim of securing strategic investments for the offshore wind supply chain.

The UK already has significant blade manufacturing facilities for offshore wind: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy’s facility at Hull, and Vestas’ facility on the Isle of Wight.

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 it her policy to apply community benefit to offshore wind farms.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Offshore windfarm developers already provide a range of community benefit packages which are developed in consultation with local communities. For projects based in Scotland, developers follow the Scottish Government’s Offshore Energy Good Practice Principles when creating a community benefit package.

The Government consulted on proposals for voluntary guidance for community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure. The consultation proposed to introduce voluntary guidance on the appropriate levels and forms of benefits to give communities the knowledge, power and flexibility to decide what benefits they want in consultation with the project developer. The consultation stated that this should apply for onshore infrastructure developed by offshore wind.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department's timescales are for completing its review of the UK's membership of the Energy Charter Treaty; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 1 September 2023, the UK announced it would be reviewing its membership of the ECT if the modernised Treaty was not adopted by November 2023. The Government is considering the views of stakeholders in business, civil society, and Parliament as part of this process. Parliament will be informed at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to make a decision on the AQUIND interconnector project in 2023.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The proposed AQUIND Interconnector Project is a live planning application, currently being redetermined by my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State. There is no statutory deadline for the redetermination of this application.

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 assist homeowners living in conservation areas to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Work is ongoing to meet the commitment made in the British Energy Security Strategy to review the planning barriers households face when installing energy efficiency measures in conservation areas and listed buildings.

The review will ensure protection of local amenity and heritage whilst making it easier to improve energy efficiency in protected buildings. It will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether senior officials from her Department have travelled to China since January 2019.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Details of travel by Senior Civil Servants are recorded in the Government's transparency date, which is published at:

https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/e05c7e01-4ace-46b6-bfab-341217cc35fc/beis-senior-officials-business-expenses-hospitality-and-meetings

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 oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of 5 September 2023 on Energy Bill [Lords], Official Report, column 281, when he plans to (a) publish the first annual report to Parliament on the community energy sector and (b) launch the consultation on the barriers the sector faces when developing projects.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government is working with the Community Energy Contact Group on the content of the annual report and consultation. Until these discussions have concluded, the Government is unable to outline a definitive timeline.

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 cost effectiveness of ground source heat pump energy production in (a) the UK and (b) North Yorkshire.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has conducted and published research on the cost effectiveness of heat pump technology, including ground source heat pumps, such as the ‘Cost of installing heating measures in domestic properties’ report available here. Research indicates ground source heat pumps are a highly efficient, mature technology capable of decarbonising heating in many UK homes.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department plans to (a) scope and (b) scale the production of energy through ground source heat pump technology.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is implementing a range of measures to support and scale up the market for heat pumps, including ground source heat pump technology. This includes grants of £7,500 for new heat pump installations under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and investment in training and manufacturing to support the growth of the heat pump supply chain.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installation Database indicates that, across the UK, over 30,800 certified ground source heat pumps have been installed since 2009. The database does not include all heat pump installations, for example, those installed without Government funding support, such as in new buildings.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what funding her Department plans to provide for research on (a) ground source heat pump technology and (b) good practice in the (i) extraction, (ii) conservation and (iii) distribution of energy produced by such technology.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department carries out a range of research to inform the evidence base to meet Net Zero policy aims. Future research may include assessment of ground-source heat pumps amongst other technologies to deliver the transition to low carbon heating. Good practice guidance is available for extraction and the efficient distribution of energy using the technology.

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 risks of generating ground source heat pump energy; and what plans she has to mitigate these.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ground-source heat pumps are a mature technology that provide efficient, low carbon heating to buildings. Any risks associated with their deployment and use are managed through Building Regulations, and environmental permitting administered by the Environment Agency.

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 potential carbon cost of ground source heat energy production.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has conducted analysis on the carbon impacts of a range of heating technologies. Heat pumps – including ground source heat pumps – can currently reduce carbon emissions by around 60% or more compared to a gas boiler and this will increase as the power sector decarbonises.

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 weighting net zero grants towards (a) levels of deprivation and (b) carbon emissions reduction potential.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government takes scheme design into careful consideration. All schemes are designed with reference to the Green Book. The Government takes its Public Sector Equality Duty requirements extremely seriously and has a range of grant schemes that support decarbonisation efforts for citizens across the country. This includes the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and the £10m Community Energy Fund, which will enable both rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment.

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 a 50% increase in Administrative Strike Prices; and whether an increase in those Prices applies to all renewable technologies in Allocation Round 6.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government reviews auction parameters, including Administrative Strike Prices, ahead of every Contracts for Difference allocation round. Considering recent price volatility and that no offshore wind technologies were successful in Allocation Round 5, the Government has conducted a thorough review of its cost assumptions ahead of Allocation Round 6. The Government will set parameters that reflect the Contracts for Difference scheme’s objective to encourage low-carbon generation whilst considering net zero commitments, energy security and the likely cost to consumers. Core parameters for Allocation Round 6 will be published in November 2023.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how her Department plans to take into account changes in the level of costs when setting the Administrative Strike Price for renewable technologies in Allocation Round 6 of the Contracts for Difference.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government reviews auction parameters, including Administrative Strike Prices, ahead of every Contracts for Difference allocation round. Considering recent price volatility and that no offshore wind technologies were successful in Allocation Round 5, the Government has conducted a thorough review of its cost assumptions ahead of Allocation Round 6. The Government will set parameters that reflect the Contracts for Difference scheme’s objective to encourage low-carbon generation whilst considering net zero commitments, energy security and the likely cost to consumers. Core parameters for Allocation Round 6 will be published in November 2023.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has held recent discussions with (a) electricians and (b) electrical contracting firms on trends in the level of demand for electrical skills.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ministers meet regularly with external stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Between 7th February 2023, when the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was formed, to 10th November 2023, records show the following devices were reported lost or stolen.

DESNZ has a policy for the controlled use of memory sticks and external hard drives. These are only permitted with a valid and approved business case and using authorised, hardware encrypted devices. Once approved, individual Directorates are responsible for controlling the memory sticks and external hard drives, therefore no figures on loss are held centrally.

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 encourage private landlords to retrofit their properties to increase insulation.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is spending £6bn this Parliament and a further £6bn to 2028 on making buildings cleaner and warmer, in addition to £5bn to be delivered through the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme up to March 2026.

Last year the Government introduced a zero-rate of VAT for five years on energy saving measures and low-carbon heating, making it cheaper for people to invest in their properties and reduce energy usage.

A brand-new eligibility tool was launched on the ‘Help for Households’ GOV.UK page that will help people find the support available to them via the Home Upgrade Grant and the Great British Insulation Scheme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when her Department plans to respond to its consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for the non-domestic private rented sector.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has reviewed the responses to its consultations on minimum energy efficiency standards in the non-domestic private rented sector. The policy design is being reviewed to ensure it remains fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants and to help realise the benefits to businesses of reduced energy bills, more comfortable and healthier workplaces and greater energy security.

The Government is engaging with commercial building owners and representative groups to understand the different pathways to support decarbonisation and give certainty to the energy efficiency supply chain. The response will be published in due course.

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 inflation rates on the ability of grants awarded to local authorities for net zero purposes to deliver intended outcomes.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government monitors the impact of inflation to ensure that its legal commitments are met, while setting out a proportionate, pragmatic approach to delivering net zero that reduces the costs and burdens on British families. The cost effectiveness of all relevant schemes are monitored and scheme statistics are regularly published on gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Cabinet Office statistics on Permanent and temporary civil servants by sex, age band and department: 2023, published on 31 October 2023, how many permanent civil servants excluding agencies worked for her Department on 31 October 2023.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had 4248 permanent civil servants recorded in the department on the 31 October 2023.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress the Government is making on setting out sector-specific net zero transition plan guidance to support companies preparing their own transition plans.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

During the UK's COP26 Presidency, the Government launched the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT). The TPT was tasked with developing guidance for good practice transition plans. Their disclosure framework was published in October, and they will consult on detailed sector guidance in November.

As part of implementing the Green Finance Strategy, the Government is planning to consult in due course on how the UK’s largest companies can effectively disclose their transition plans, if they have one.

Additionally, the Net Zero Council, which brings together CEOs from leading companies including Co-op, HSBC, Siemens and Cemex, has developed a framework to help businesses to create tailored sector decarbonisation roadmaps.

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 trends in the number of ECO 4 installations undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) North Shropshire constituency in the last 12 months.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

ECO4 is the latest iteration of the Energy Company Obligation scheme which installs energy efficiency measures in households within Great Britain only.

Over the 12 months to the end of June 2023 (the latest available data by parliamentary constituency), there were around 143,500 ECO4 measures installed in Great Britain and 242 measures installed in North Shropshire constituency.

Over this period, the number of ECO4 installations has generally increased in both Great Britain and North Shropshire constituency.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many ECO 4 installations were undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) North Shropshire constituency in the last 12 months.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

ECO4 is the latest iteration of the Energy Company Obligation scheme which installs energy efficiency measures in households within Great Britain only.

Over the 12 months to the end of June 2023 (the latest available data by parliamentary constituency), there were around 143,500 ECO4 measures installed in Great Britain and 242 measures installed in North Shropshire constituency.

Over this period, the number of ECO4 installations has generally increased in both Great Britain and North Shropshire constituency.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether non-domestic privately rented properties will be required to have an EPC rating of C by April 2027.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government consulted on strengthening the existing regulations to require non-domestic private rented buildings to reach the highest EPC that a cost-effective package of measures can deliver up to EPC C by April 2027 and EPC B by April 2030.

The policy design and timelines are being reviewed to ensure they remain fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants and to help realise the benefits of energy efficiency. The Government is engaging with stakeholders on the different pathways to support decarbonisation and to give certainty to the supply chain. A response will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding has been allocated to clean energy research, development and demonstration projects from the Ayrton Fund as of 8 November 2023.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK Government has committed up to £1 billion for the Ayrton Fund to support the research, development, and demonstration of clean energy innovations for developing countries, between April 2021 and March 2026, delivered via a portfolio managed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Departments for Energy Security and Net Zero and for Science, Innovation and Technology.

As of 8 November 2023, Ayrton funding of £595 million has been approved and allocated to 29 programmes. The Departments are working on the design of further new and scaled-up programmes, including some expected to be announced at COP28 in December.

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 published guidance on the Ayrton Fund, how much funding was allocated to each of the 23 RD&D projects that that fund supported in its first two years.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In its first two years (April 2021 to March 2023) the UK Government spent £146 million through the 23 Ayrton Fund programmes, listed on the Gov.uk website, delivering international clean energy research, development, and demonstration.

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 adequacy of the planning system for facilitating the building of new small and advanced modular reactors.

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

As a first step towards developing the new nuclear National Policy Statement, we will consult later this year (2023) on a proposed way forward for determining how new nuclear developments might be located, including the potential for deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear technologies.

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 impact of national policy statements on new nuclear small and advanced modular reactors.

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

As a first step towards developing the new nuclear NPS, we will consult later this year (2023) on a proposed way forward for determining how new nuclear developments might be located, including the potential for deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear technologies.

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