Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
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 merits of using geothermal heat from former, flooded coal mines to help reach his Department's clean energy targets.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
To achieve net zero at lowest cost, we must look at how to accelerate all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The Government recognises that the mine water from coal mines shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks. The government is therefore supporting such mine water schemes as Gateshead and Seaham Garden Village through the Heat Network Investment Project and the Green Heat Network Fund. The Mining Remediation Authority has also released opportunity maps for 10 Cities in England Mine Water Heat Opportunity Mapping for 10 Cities in England - data.gov.uk
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
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 adequacy of progress towards making the UK a clean energy superpower.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We have made an excellent start delivering our Clean Energy Superpower Mission. We are bearing down on energy bills and identifying options to lower energy costs. We have secured over £50 billion of private investment in clean energy, backed the next generation of nuclear power with £14.2 billion of funding for Sizewell, and invested in a £1 billion supply chain fund under Great British Energy to unlock investment in offshore wind jobs and our clean energy supply chains. Industry stakeholders have acknowledged and welcomed the acceleration in our ambition and progress we're making to deliver our objectives. We recognise there is much work to do, and our long-term plan will take time, requiring extensive engagement across all sectors of our society. But we won’t be deterred by the scale of the task, and this Government will not waste a moment delivering it.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
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 adequacy of progress in transitioning to net zero across the economy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Climate Change Act (2008) made the UK the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target. This sets our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in law. The UK has already halved its emissions, having cut them by around 53% between 1990 and 2023, while growing the economy by over 80% in the same period.
We will deliver an updated plan that sets out the policy package out to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037 for all sectors of the economy by October 2025. The Climate Change Committee published its 2025 progress report in June, and we will also formally respond to this report by October 2025.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
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 the extension of the Warm Home Discount scheme on people living in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Warm Home Discount statistics for 2024-25 were published on 26th June 2025. These statistics cover receipt of the WHD for winter 2024/25. Estimates of future eligibility are not available at county or constituency level. Across Great Britain, we will be extending the WHD to an estimated additional 2.7 million households and bringing the overall number of households supported to around 6 million.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to (a) encourage and (b) support local communities which host clean power projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ and Great British Energy are developing the Local Power Plan, designed to accelerate the local and community energy sector in support of the Clean Power Mission.
On 21 May we published a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure. Developers of low carbon energy generation and storage infrastructure would be required to contribute to funds, which can be used to support the local community.
Plans are in place for households within 500 metres of new or significantly upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure to get up to £2,500 off their electricity bills over 10 years.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on support for domestic heating oil consumers, in the content of potential increases in oil prices caused by the conflict between Iran and Israel.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Rt. Hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have regular discussions on a range of issues.
We are confident in the UK's security of gas and fuel supply, even in light of geopolitical tensions and the current crisis in the Middle East. The UK benefits from a secure and diverse energy system, which allows us to draw on global gas and fuel supplies, reducing our reliance on any single source. Additionally, despite regional disruptions, global energy markets continue to function, ensuring stability in our supply.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
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 merits of providing funding for projects to generate geothermal energy from former coal mines that have been flooded.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that mine water heat shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks. The technology was eligible for support through the Heat Network Investment Project from 2018 and is currently eligible for funding from the Green Heat Network Funding https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-heat-network-fund-ghnf. Mine water schemes at Gateshead and Seaham Garden Village have been supported through these schemes. Feasibility assessments have also been supported by Heat Network Delivery Unit Funding in other locations.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on considering the transfer of the British Coal Superannuation Scheme to its members.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
I met with Trustees of the BCSSS on 22nd April 2025 and analysis to support decision making has now been commissioned jointly by the Trustees and the Department from the Government Actuarial Department.
Asked by: Dan Norris (Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
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 who rely on heating oil in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government will continue to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 annual rebate on energy bills for eligible low-income households. We will invest an extra £13.2 billion through our Warm Homes Plan over the next Parliament to upgrade 5 million homes and cut bills for families.