Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 30 August 2024 to Question 1331 on Energy Performance Certificates Housing, whether this will include banning the (a) sale and (b) purchase of privately occupied dwellings which do not meet minimum energy performance certificate requirements.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s position on supporting owner occupiers remains as was set out in the Answer to Question 1331. The Government has since published separate proposals to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales by 2030. Proposals in this consultation do not restrict the selling or purchase of private properties.
Our position on owner occupied homes remains unchanged from our Answer to Question 1331.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for the delivery of the £300 reduction to household energy bills.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.
The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 October 2024, HCWS168, on Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024, what requirements there will be for the floating offshore wind infrastructure to be manufactured in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Local content requirements are not permitted within the UK’s international trade agreements, however, the Government does offer incentives to invest in supply chains: the Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) as part of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme will reward fixed and floating offshore wind developers who choose to invest in the UK’s poorest communities, or in cleaner manufacturing facilities. The initial budget for CIBs is £27m per GW of capacity that applies for the bonus in Allocation Round 7. An amount within the CIB budget will be reserved for investments in the floating offshore wind supply chain.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December to Question 16276 on Warm Homes Plan: Insulation, whether the Warm Homes Plan will support investment in loft insulation protection.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s Warm Homes Plan will support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. We will set out full details in due course.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
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 new RdSAP10 Energy Performance Certificate methodology on EPC ratings.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises EPCs as crucial for informing consumers about energy costs, emissions, and supporting Net Zero goals. An updated assessment methodology, RdSAP 10, will be introduced in early 2025. Developed with the EPC industry, this update aims to enhance the accuracy of energy performance evaluations by including detailed measurements like window sizes and battery storage. These changes ensure EPCs better reflect actual energy performance, aiding consumers in making informed decisions. The revised methodology will offer more reliable energy ratings and a clearer understanding of home efficiency.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
What progress she has made on reaching the UK’s 2050 net zero target.
Answered by Claire Coutinho - Shadow Minister (Equalities)
Britain is the first major economy to halve emissions, whilst growing the economy by 80%. We have more ambitious targets for 2030 than the EU, with the UK aiming for a 68% reduction in emissions to their 55%. We have over-achieved on all carbon budgets to date, and remain on track for the next.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
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 Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of encouraging the use of electric vehicles.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
I have been working closely with Cabinet colleagues to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles, which will help us meet our climate change obligations alongside improving air quality and supporting economic growth.