Claire Young

Through the Warm Homes Plan and the new Fuel Poverty Strategy, Government is taking decisive action to lift up to one million households out of fuel poverty by 2030. The Plan includes around £5 billion of support for low-income and fuel poor households, made up of £4.4 billion in direct capital grants and an initial £600 million from the Warm Homes Fund.

The Warm Homes Fund will support new low and zero‑interest finance to help households overcome upfront costs and enable greater participation in home upgrade schemes, complementing grant funding delivered through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.

The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is designed to support households who are able to borrow but face upfront cost barriers. It recognises that consumer loans may not be suitable for all households, particularly those on low incomes or unable to take on debt.

The Department’s Warm Homes Fund Call for Evidence asked specific questions about suitable delivery mechanisms for low-income households. We are considering the responses and will set out further details of the design of the Fund later in 2026.

In addition, low-income consumers will benefit from over £5 billion of investment in home upgrades over this Parliament out to 2030, and we will shortly be announcing our plans for the future of low-income capital grant scheme delivery.

The Government acted in the Autumn Budget to reduce electricity costs, to the benefit of all households with a domestic electricity meter, including those not on the gas grid. By scrapping the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) home insulation scheme and moving 75% of the domestic costs of the Renewables Obligation to the Exchequer, we have been able to provide immediate savings for households. The changes made by this Government remain in place, meaning energy bills will rise by less that they would have done otherwise.

This support is in addition to the support provided for families that use heating oil and LPG via the Crisis and Resilience Fund in England, as well as the continuation of the Warm Home Discount Scheme – which provides low-income households with a £150 rebate off their winter energy bill – until the end of the decade. In addition, we are upgrading as many homes as possible ahead of winter with the biggest investment in warm homes in British history.

The way to get bills down for good and avoid these price spikes is to go further and faster with this Government’s drive for clean homegrown power we control.

The Government is going further and faster to protect domestic consumers from volatile gas prices. Firstly, we are accelerating the deployment of low-cost renewable electricity technologies to reduce our reliance on international fossil fuel markets.

Secondly, Government plans to offer legacy low-carbon generators – which provide around 30% of our power today – the option to move onto fixed price Contracts for Difference (CfDs). This will build on the success of existing CfDs for new build renewables, delinking electricity generation from volatile gas prices.

Finally, Government has raised the tax rate of the Electricity Generator Levy from 45% to 55% to limit revenues low-carbon generators can make due to gas price spikes.

The electricity system in Great Britain is operated by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), which uses a wide range of datasets to support system operation and publishes a substantial amount of this data through its public data portal. Where data is not made public this will be for reasons such as commercial sensitivity or system security.

The government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear with identifying suitable sites that could host a potential large-scale new nuclear project.

GBE-N will report to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

Great British Energy - Nuclear owns the potential new nuclear site at Oldbury-on-Severn.

The site hosting the legacy nuclear power plant is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, Great British Energy – Nuclear’s (GBE-N) Oldbury site has great potential for new nuclear.

Oldbury remains under consideration for future projects and GBE-N will continue early work to evaluate the site to ensure it is ready for future deployment. This includes the potential to support any privately-led projects that might be developed by the nuclear industry.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) owns the potential new nuclear site at Oldbury-on-Severn.

As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, Oldbury has great potential for new nuclear, and GBE-N will continue early work to evaluate the site, to ensure it is ready for future deployment. This includes the potential to support any privately-led projects that might be developed by the nuclear industry.

Solar panels installed under Government support schemes require installers to be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. This requirement ensures installers, installations, and products meet the industry gold standard. Under MCS Redeveloped Scheme, customer complaints have been centralised and a Technical Supervisor recruited to further reinforce installation quality.

More broadly, consumers can seek general advice on UK consumer protection and routes to redress by contacting the Citizens Advice consumer service or visiting their website.

Under DESNZ schemes where solar is an eligible technology, installers, products and installations must all be MCS Certified.

However, the Government inherited a fragmented consumer‑protection framework for home energy efficiency measures. This framework is being reviewed with reforms announced in the Warm Homes Plan to ensure households can be confident in the quality and safety of upgrades made to their homes.

More specifically, the Building Safety Regulator will launch a public consultation on proposed updates to Approved Document B, the statutory fire safety guidance within the Building Regulations, this summer. We will monitor and engage as this work progresses.

The Department has not made an assessment of this scenario because Capacity Providers are not paid for capacity that does not build out and therefore there is no cost to consumers. Payments under the Capacity Market are only made after a Capacity Provider has demonstrated that it is available to deliver. Where existing capacity fails to demonstrate availability or deliver during its obligation period, payments are suspended and the relevant Capacity Agreement is terminated.

From a security of supply perspective non delivery risk is factored into the way that targets are set within the Capacity Market based on historic data. This ensures that we can have confidence that we are securing the right level of capacity needed to maintain electricity security through a range of scenarios.

Tax treatment is the responsibility of HM Treasury and they keep all taxes under review.

This Government has invested £15 billion in the Warm Homes Plan to help upgrade British homes and cut bills. Whilst we expect heat pumps to be suitable for the vast majority of properties, some may be less suitable and so we are supporting alternative low carbon technologies like heat batteries, air-to-air heat pumps, and biomass boilers.

We are also expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to provide more options, including heat batteries. To simplify the system for consumers and installers, Government has recently mandated Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under DESNZ schemes.

The Government is closely monitoring heating oil supply and price in light of instability in the Middle East. International kerosene prices are >75% higher than they were before the conflict and this is putting pressure on heating oil prices.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing. Ministers have also spoken with the Competition and Markets Authority, who have announced they are reviewing evidence of potential unfair practices and anti-competitive behaviour.

We are keeping under review whether any further support or action is needed to protect consumers.

The Government is determined to double the pace at which we slash fuel poverty. DESNZ will publish new fuel poverty statistics on 26 March.

As a result of decisions taken in the Budget, energy bills are set to fall by 7% or £117 from April. The expansion of the Warm Home Discount means nearly 6 million households are now eligible for the discount. We will continue to provide this until 2030/31.

We also made a £15 billion investment in the Warm Homes Plan. £5 billion of this is going to low-income and fuel poor households, initially delivered through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant. This is made up of £4.4 billion in direct capital grants and an initial £600 million from the Warm Homes Fund, our new strategic investment facility.

Our plans to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards in the private and social rented sectors will deliver long lasting change with around 650,000 households lifted out of fuel poverty.

The Government is determined to double the pace at which we slash fuel poverty. DESNZ will publish new fuel poverty statistics on 26 March.

As a result of decisions taken in the Budget, energy bills are set to fall by 7% or £117 from April. The expansion of the Warm Home Discount means nearly 6 million households are now eligible for the discount. We will continue to provide this until 2030/31.

We also made a £15 billion investment in the Warm Homes Plan. £5 billion of this is going to low-income and fuel poor households, initially delivered through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant. This is made up of £4.4 billion in direct capital grants and an initial £600 million from the Warm Homes Fund, our new strategic investment facility.

Our plans to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards in the private and social rented sectors will deliver long lasting change with around 650,000 households lifted out of fuel poverty.

The Warm Homes Plan has committed a landmark £15 billion to low-income households, including an extra £1.5 billion from the Budget. In total, £5 billion is set aside to upgrade low-income households with solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, which can save hundreds of pounds a year compared to gas boiler.

This will initially be delivered through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG). From 2027/28, we intend to integrate the WH:SHF and WH:LG into a single low-income capital scheme and we will say more about our plans for this in Spring 2026.

The UK and US Government regularly discuss a wide range of policy issues linked to nuclear energy in both the UK and US. In September we agreed the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy to unlock billions in private investment and accelerate the delivery of new nuclear projects in both countries.

The government has selected Wylfa as the site to host Britain’s first small modular reactors.

Meanwhile, to pursue the option of further large-scale nuclear, Great British Energy - Nuclear has been tasked with identifying suitable sites that could potentially host such a project

The Warm Homes Plan sets out in detail how the government's £15 billion investment into home upgrades will be allocated to individual schemes. While there is no specifically ring-fenced funding for off-gas grid homes, the package will support these homes to decarbonise in a variety of ways.

Additionally, the government has published a consultation on alternative heating solutions which explores the role these technologies could play in ensuring that every household has a suitable low-carbon option. The consultation closed on 10 February, and we will issue the Government response in due course.

As part of the Warm Homes Plan the government is investing £5 billion in direct support for low-income households. This will initially be delivered through the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF).

All eligible households in England and Wales can also benefit from the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), funded with £2.7 billion to 2030. This will provide more options for homes where a hydronic heat pump may not be the most appropriate solution, including air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries.

Additionally, the government has published a consultation on alternative heating solutions which explores the role these technologies could play in ensuring that every household has a suitable low-carbon option. The consultation closed on 10 February, and a government response will follow in due course.

My Rt Hon friend has regular discussions with cabinet colleagues on a number of issues.

The government has selected Wylfa as the site to host Britain’s first small modular reactors. Meanwhile, to pursue the option of further large-scale nuclear, Great British Energy - Nuclear has been tasked with identifying suitable sites that could potentially host such a project.

The US is one of our most important and longstanding international partners on civil nuclear and we are regularly in contact on civil nuclear matters.

The government has selected Wylfa as the site to host Britain’s first Small Modular Reactors. Meanwhile, to pursue the option of further large-scale nuclear, we have tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear with identifying suitable sites that could host a potential large-scale project.

GBE-N owns the site at Oldbury-on-Severn and as a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, it has great potential for new nuclear. GBE-N will continue early work to evaluate the site, to ensure it is ready for future deployment. .

The government wants to see thousands of jobs created across the UK nuclear sector and for UK supply chains to develop world-leading expertise across a range of civil nuclear activities to ensure competitiveness both domestically and internationally.

The government welcomes Nuclear Transport Solutions’ partnership with Westinghouse. Developing capability to make and transport advanced nuclear fuel is critical to shoring up the UK’s position as a nuclear world leader.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) owns the site at Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire. As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, it has great potential for new nuclear, including advanced technologies. GBE-N is continuing early work to evaluate the site, to ensure it is ready for future deployment. This includes the potential to support any privately-led projects that might be developed by the nuclear industry.

In November 2025, following careful deliberation, the Government announced that Wylfa will host Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project. Wylfa has the potential to accommodate more SMR units than other potential sites.

To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear, the government has tasked GBE-N with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project. GBE-N will report back by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

We are tackling promotion of fraudulent energy saving products in homes retrofit through several steps.

Selection and installation of measures is overseen through expert certification processes and bodies. This is being enhanced though development of a robust model for future scheme delivery which will reduce fraud. This includes a simplified approach to scheme design and scoring of measures reducing opportunities for fraud and for gaming. We have ongoing investment in technology to prevent and detect fraud.

Retrofit delivered through local authorities and housing associations have support from delivery partners appointed to bring expertise in assurance and fraud prevention.

The government is supporting the deployment of technologies that will reduce household bills through a variety of schemes including the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, Warm Homes: Social Housing Decarbonisation, Warm Homes: Local Government and the continuation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The government invested up to £42 million in the Heat Pump Ready (HPR) innovation programme to overcome barriers to heat pump deployment and support innovation in product design.

To promote the benefits of heat pumps the government has also relaunched its ‘Warm and Fuzzy’ campaign.

The Warm Homes Plan will continue our support for low carbon technologies and other energy efficiency upgrades to help reduce bills.

The NSTA assesses each application on its own merits, and as a result, the time taken to reach a decision would be dependent on a project’s unique individual characteristics and complexity.

While the Department collects data on the number of smart meters not operating in smart mode, this does not differentiate between when meters are impacted.

The latest Government statistics on smart meter installations to end December 2024 were published on 20th March and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics. These include information about the number of smart meters operating in smart mode.

At the end of 2024 over 90% of smart meters were operating as intended and sending automatic readings to suppliers.

Statistics are available on the number of smart meters not operating in smart mode, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics. A breakdown of this figure by energy supplier is published by Ofgem (https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-policy-and-regulation/policy-and-regulatory-programmes/smart-meter-transition-and-data-communications-company-dcc/smart-meter-performance). The Department does not collect data on smart meters not operating in smart mode by local authority.

A smart meter not operating in smart mode will continue to record energy usage accurately, with an energy company meter reader or the customer needing to take manual meter readings.

The investment needed for smart metering including installation of smart meters is funded by energy suppliers.

Government expenditure on the Smart Metering Implementation Programme in DESNZ in 2022-23 was £9.7m, in 2023-4 it was £9.8m and forecast expenditure in 2024-25 is £10.5m.

The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism that was designed to ensure that there is a guaranteed route to market for any small-scale low-carbon generator, such as a community energy project, that compensates for the value of their exported electricity.

The Department is also working alongside Ofgem and other key stakeholders to explore options for addressing the regulatory barriers to local energy supply, including route to market.

The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change, and has tabled an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill, which clarifies that Great British Energy may support renewable energy projects involving or benefitting local communities.

The Government has also announced the Great British Energy Community Fund, to provide funding and support to community energy stakeholders, helping to increase the roll out of renewable energy projects.

Through Great British Energy we will turbocharge community energy. Our Local Power Plan will mean communities taking back control of their energy, bringing cheap clean power and energy security.

I look forward to further details being announced as the GBE Bill goes through its final stages.

In October 2024, the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments jointly commissioned the NESO to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain. This more strategic approach to planning will help accelerate the government’s clean energy superpower mission, including through the development of offshore wind.

This first SSEP will cover infrastructure for power generation, including offshore generation in Great British waters, so that the government can create a more efficient electricity network and reduce waiting times for generation projects to connect to the grid. This will move to a whole energy system plan in future iterations.

The SSEP will sit alongside the existing Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme, as well as wider planning reform, whilst respecting devolved competencies.

Our recently announced Clean Industry Bonus will help to drive investment in our heartland and coastal communities, and in cleaner supply chains – creating economic opportunities in the supply chains of the future. We have also set up the Office for Clean Energy Jobs, which will work closely with businesses and unions to map skills needs and ensure we have the workforce needed to take advantage of the clean energy transition.

Great British Energy will be operationally independent and will deliver in line with a statement of strategic priorities. Its projects will be subject to all relevant environmental legislation, which the Secretary of State regularly engages cabinet colleagues on. This includes the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which aims to accelerate infrastructure delivery, while protecting nature, to achieve clean power by 2030.

Government wants improved outcomes for our environment. We are committed to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, halting biodiversity decline by 2030, and expanding nature-rich habitats such as wetlands, peat bogs, and forests.

The Government is fully committed to protecting nature. That’s why as part of the SSEP we are requiring NESO to give due consideration to environmental impacts and statutory environmental duties throughout all stages of its production. The SSEP will also be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and plan-level Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA).

Wider energy planning frameworks such as the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) will take a whole energy system approach to strategic network planning and balance environmental impact as a key priority alongside economic cost, deliverability, and community impact.

The Government has set an ambitious target of clean power by 2030 as part of its mission to become a clean energy superpower. We have received advice from the NESO on how to achieve this target. We will review this advice and outline our approach to clean power by 2030 in our Action Plan, expected later this year. The role of different low carbon technologies in the future electricity system, including biomass, will be considered as part of that.