Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the UK manufacturing and job-creation potential of scaling up heat-battery production, and (2) the potential for this technology to offer an exportable solution for the global clean-heat market.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Heat batteries are a promising technology that could provide a clean heating solution for homes where other technologies may be less suitable. That is why the Government is taking steps to extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support eligible heat batteries.
The UK is home to several leading heat battery manufacturers, including Tepeo and Sunamp. The Government recognises the potential for growth in heat battery deployment to support UK manufacturing and jobs, as well as to create export opportunities.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to accelerate climate action across the UK.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is committed to building a cleaner, healthier economy which will bring benefits for people across the country.
The government recently set the level for the seventh Carbon Budget, securing Parliamentary approval for a level of ~87% emissions reduction on 1990 levels for the period 2038 – 2042, setting a clear basis for the pace of action required to meet net zero by 2050.
In August, we announced ‘Plug-in’ solar panels available in shops and on 29 September the Prime Minister announced Great British Grid (GBG).
Alongside accelerating the transition to clean power, the Government's Warm Homes Plan will support up to five million households to install insulation, solar panels, batteries and heat pumps, helping cut emissions, lower bills and reduce fuel poverty.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the UK's reliance on international fossil fuels and to achieve clean, cheap, homegrown power.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Over the course of 2025, almost two-thirds of Britain’s electricity generation came from clean power. We have seen over £110 billion in private investment announced into clean energy and consented enough clean energy to power over 20 million homes. In our last auction we secured new offshore wind at a price that is 40% cheaper than building and operating new gas, while unlocking £27 billion in private sector investment and supporting thousands of jobs across the country. By delivering more clean, homegrown power, the less time gas will set the price of electricity. We have already moved from gas setting the price of electricity around 90% of the time in the early 2020s, to around 60% today.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the expansion of renewable energy generation.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are delivering on our ambitious plan to move our electricity system to clean power that we control – breaking our dependence on imported fossil fuels and protecting everyone from future price spikes. For example, we have lifted the de facto onshore wind ban, launched Great British Energy, published our Solar Roadmap and Clean Flexibility Roadmap, and delivered the most successful renewables auction in history with AR7 adding a record-breaking 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind. More recently, we announced that ‘plug-in’ solar panels are available in shops, offering households a chance to cut their bills.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure adequate and accessible provision for women experiencing rough sleeping.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government recognises that women experiencing rough sleeping often face different risks and can be less visible to services. Guidance for the Rough Sleeping Programme makes clear that local areas should ensure adequate and accessible provision for women. Local areas have flexibility to provide tailored support, including specialist accommodation and outreach for women where needed.
Through the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, the Government is also supporting specialist organisations working with women who face some of the greatest barriers to accessing support.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to remove the barriers to access to omaveloxolone for patients with Friedreich's ataxia; and what plans they have to establish an interim access pathway for eligible patients while reimbursement negotiations continue.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Unfortunately, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has so far been unable to evaluate omaveloxolone because the company responsible withdrew from the evaluation process last year. However, NICE stands ready to resume the process if the company decides to make a new submission.
In the interim, we are determined to ensure that all those suffering from this debilitating condition get the help and support that they need, and NHS England already provides a number of services to help individuals manage their symptoms, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what contribution will the British steel sector, including Speciality Steel UK, play in (1) delivering their Industrial Strategy, and (2) supporting growth in key sectors across the UK.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
A strong British steel sector is fundamental to delivering the Industrial Strategy, strengthening national and economic security, and supporting growth in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, infrastructure and digital technologies. Through the Steel Strategy, backed by up to £2.5 billion, the Government is working to rebuild the sector, attract investment, increase demand for UK-made steel and support clean, modern production. It is a major employer in one of the UK’s most deprived areas, and it occupies a unique place in our steel ecosystem. Working towards public acquisition will preserve strategic control and enable the Government to assess all credible future opportunities, including how SSUK’s specialist capabilities can support growth, skilled employment and resilient domestic supply chains.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of maintaining continuity in specialist steel production in response to the lengthy accreditation and homologation processes required by customers in the (1) automotive, (2) aerospace, and (3) defence sectors.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises that accreditation and homologation processes in the automotive, aerospace and defence sectors can take time, making the continuity of specialist steel capability important to customers and national resilience. We are working towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK to preserve strategic control and enable all credible options for its future to be assessed. No final decisions have yet been taken. Options will be considered thoroughly, including on their economic and industrial benefits, contribution to regional growth and national resilience, and value for money.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to prioritise heat batteries as a tool to cut the cost of bills.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government recognises that heat batteries can play a role in decarbonising domestic heating, noting their ability to take advantage of time-of-use electricity tariffs through charging at off-peak times. The government has committed to provide grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with a value of £2,500, that can support the installation of heat batteries, once appropriate standards have been implemented.
Asked by: Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the system benefits created by heat batteries which shift demand away from peak times.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government recognises that heat batteries can play a role in decarbonising domestic heating, noting their ability to shift demand away from peak times through charging at off-peak times. The government has committed to provide grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with a value of £2,500, that can support the installation of heat batteries, once appropriate standards have been implemented.
Officials within DESNZ are in regular contact with the heat battery industry including through trade bodies.