Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on data sharing to identify households eligible for energy social tariffs.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The department is working closely with other government departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions, to understand how we can better use and share data to better target support at customers that need help. I am also leading a working group with Energy UK and other stakeholders to consider how we can take further sustained action on improving affordability and accessibility of energy.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 potential impact of heat batteries on (a) peak electricity demand and (b) grid flexibility in the UK energy system.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Heat batteries are a promising technology because they utilise time-of-use tariffs and do not require outside space. However, they are also less efficient than heat pumps and will therefore use more energy to meet the same heating demand, which could impact peak electricity demand
The Department is exploring, through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial, the role heat batteries could play in the future.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) VAT reductions or grants and (b) other financial incentives to encourage the adoption of heat battery technology in UK households as part of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
VAT treatment is the responsibility of the Treasury, and they keep all taxes under review. Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) can benefit from zero rated VAT, until April 2027, and the Department continues to engage with the Treasury and HMRC regarding ESMs.
Heat batteries are a promising technology but they are also less efficient than heat pumps and will use more energy to meet the same heating demand. We will continue to review our position on heat batteries in Government grant programmes as the supporting evidence base develops, through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of heat battery technology to the Warm Homes Plan; and what steps he is taking to support the (a) development and (b) deployment of heat batteries in domestic heating systems.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Heat batteries are a promising technology because they utilise time-of-use tariffs, do not require outside space, and can be cheaper to install than heat pumps in some circumstances. However, they are also less efficient than heat pumps and will therefore use more energy to meet the same heating demand.
The Department is exploring, through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial, the role heat batteries could play in the future. We will continue to review our position on heat batteries as the supporting evidence base develops.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 is taking to improve public awareness and consumer advice on the benefits of heat battery technology as part of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Heat batteries are a promising technology because they utilise time-of-use tariffs, do not require outside space, and can be cheaper to install than heat pumps in some circumstances. However, they are also less efficient than heat pumps and will therefore use more energy to meet the same heating demand.
The Department is exploring, through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial, the role heat batteries could play in the future. We will continue to review our position on heat batteries as the supporting evidence base develops.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data his Department holds on the number of utility companies that charge for paper copies of bills; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this practice on customers; and whether he plans to take steps to monitor this practice.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not hold this data.
Ofgem’s Standard Licence Condition 21B.8 explicitly states that “the licensee must not make a specific charge for the provision of a Bill or statement of account or for access in an appropriate way to the consumption data used to calculate that Bill or statement of account. This paragraph does not apply in respect of providing additional copies of a Bill or statement of account to a Customer.”
The Government is aware that not everyone can manage their account online and will continue to work with Ofgem and suppliers to understand where improvements are needed, and to ensure all consumers, including the elderly and vulnerable, receive the standard of service they deserve.