Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will take steps to reduce the energy use of outdoor digital billboards.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Digital billboards and other signage displays are covered under the 2021 Ecodesign Regulations for electronic displays. These regulations set minimum energy performance standards to increase the energy efficiency of products. Additionally, the regulations include provisions for the recycling of these displays at the end of their life, and for the careful use of critical materials. These regulations are subject to post-implementation reviews.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to monitor the effectiveness of the work undertaken by each department on helping to achieve the Government's net zero targets.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Delivering net zero is a cross-government effort as evidenced by publication of strategies such as the Carbon Budgets Delivery Plan.
Ministers and officials in the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero regularly meet with counterparts across Government to coordinate action and manage risks. The Domestic and Economic Affairs (Energy, Climate and Net Zero) Committee ensures a coordinated approach to delivering net zero across Government. The sector specific commitments in the Net Zero Growth Plan also help to drive accountability for achieving net zero.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
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 discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of expanding the eligibility for the electricity rebate available to people who run medical equipment at home.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.
As we explore possible approaches to consumer protection from April 2024, the Government is working with disability organisations, considering the costs for disabled people, and assessing the need for specific support for disabled people using medical equipment in the home. I am attending the next quarterly meeting of the Disability Charities Consortium on Wednesday 24th May, and I am meeting my Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work on 6th June to discuss consumer protection for people with disabilities.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support with the cost of energy for disabled people who run medical equipment at home.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
As we explore possible approaches to consumer protection from April 2024, we are working with disability organisations, considering the costs for disabled people, and assessing the need for specific support for disabled people using medical equipment in the home.
I am attending the next quarterly meeting of the Disability Charities Consortium on Wednesday 24th May, and I am meeting my Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work on 6th June to discuss consumer protection for people with disabilities.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support people with complex disabilities who run medical equipment at home with the cost of energy.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
As we explore possible approaches to consumer protection from April 2024, we are working with disability organisations, considering the costs for disabled people, and assessing the need for specific support for disabled people using medical equipment in the home.
I am attending the next quarterly meeting of the Disability Charities Consortium on Wednesday 24th May, and I am meeting my Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work on 6th June to discuss consumer protection for people with disabilities.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on the potential impact of trends in the level of wholesale gas prices on the price of energy for domestic consumers.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Ministers and officials meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss a range of issues including the operation of the wholesale market and gas prices. The Government expects to see changes in wholesale prices reflected in retail prices, in accordance with how suppliers have purchased their wholesale supplies. For default tariffs, changes in wholesale prices will be reflected when Ofgem updates the level of the price cap.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number and proportion of businesses that are on deemed contracts for their energy supply.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Government does not hold this information.
Ofgem are in the process of conducting a review of the non-domestic market which will provide up-to-date data on Deemed Contracts. They have published their initial findings which found that the prevalence of Deemed Contracts has increased amongst some non-domestic customers. The full findings of Ofgem’s review are due to be published in the summer.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to ensure that people who live on boats and continuously cruise and stay in different moorings have access to the Energy Bill Support Scheme.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
In order to protect public funds against potentially fraudulent activity, the Government require applicants to show proof of address. The Government understands some households on boats not on registered moorings may not be able to provide proof of main or sole residence.
The Government is working to find an acceptable method for these households, to provide this proof so they can claim their support.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what methodology his Department uses to determine eligibility for Warm Home Discount payments.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Under Core Group 1 in England and Wales, and Core Group in Scotland, recipients of the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit are eligible.
Under Core Group 2 in England and Wales, people who are both in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit or Tax Credit and living in a property with estimated high relative heating costs, calculated on the basis of property characteristics.
Under the Broader Group in Scotland, customers must apply through their energy supplier, who may set additional eligibility criteria on top of the minimum eligibility criteria set by the Government.
Further information can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of adjusting the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount scheme to include people with ill health whose homes are ineligible due to (a) a low energy performance certificate rating or (b) being ineligible for a home insulation grant.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Under the Warm Home Discount, eligibility is not linked to the energy performance rating nor the eligibility for insulation grants. The scheme was designed to reach the maximum proportion of households in fuel poverty and for as many rebates as possible to be provided automatically.
There is no central dataset of people whose ill health increases their likelihood of being in fuel poverty.