Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the resilience of the kerosene supply chain in the UK.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department continues to monitor the UK kerosene supply chain as part of its wider monitoring of the security of supply of fuels. The UK benefits from a diverse supply base, including domestic production and imports which are complimented by well‑established distribution networks.
While global market conditions can affect prices, the Government currently has no concerns with the supply of heating oil, and continues to monitor risks closely and engage with industry to ensure the continuity of supply is maintained. Airports maintain stocks of bunkered aviation fuel to support their resilience. We are continuing to monitor the situation with industry.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the steps he is taking to help protect a) park home residents and b) heating oil users from spikes in energy prices.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely over coming days and weeks. In an uncertain world, we will keep driving for energy sovereignty and abundance with clean homegrown power. We have shown a determination to act to help families, and businesses, and will continue to do so.
The Government also recognises and takes into consideration the more complex energy arrangements used in park homes. We are looking at this issue and recognise its importance. It is also worth noting that customers who pay non-domestic intermediaries do not pay costs related to ECO.
The Government understands that many households, particularly in rural and off‑gas‑grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. We continue to monitor heating‑oil supply chains ensuring households can access fuel when needed. We are frequently engaging with industry to ensure supply and pricing remains resilient to demand. Fuel markets are governed by competition and consumer protection law, overseen by the Competition Market Authority.
Households using heating oil benefit from wider cost‑of‑living support, including electricity bill reductions announced in the Autumn Budget, and the Warm Home Discount, which provides eligible households with £150 off energy bills until 2030/31.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department launched the consultation ‘Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7)’ on 6 February 2025, with more information available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-national-policy-statement-for-nuclear-energy-generation-en-7 (opens in a new tab)
As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform.
Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact nuclearnps.consultation@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The department launched the consultation ‘Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes’ on 7 February 2025, with more information available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-2025-update (opens in a new tab)
As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform.
Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact PRSMEESConsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy: consultation document, published on 7 February 2025.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The department launched the consultation ‘Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy’ on 7 February 2025, with more information available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-fuel-poverty-strategy
(opens in a new tab)
As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform.
Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact fuelpovertyconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to produce a domestic research strategy for space weather.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Work continues to progress the UK Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy which was published in September 2021.
The Strategy was developed in close collaboration with the academic community and commits to a series of targeted research and development activities. This is currently being delivered through the Space Weather Innovation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk (SWIMMR) programme.