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 summer temperatures and heatwaves on household health and wellbeing; and whether he plans to introduce financial support or incentives to help households improve cooling measures, including air conditioning and other heat-mitigation technologies.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Warm Homes Plan sets out our approach to upgrading the nation’s homes, including climate adaptation. Over this Parliament, we intend to introduce the most appropriate, cost-effective passive cooling measures into our capital schemes, to support low-income consumers and those in social housing.

Passive cooling measures include internal blinds, external shutters, reflective window films, and cooler building materials. These enhance thermal comfort in hot weather and, when paired with active cooling, help mitigate energy bill increases.

We recognise that in some cases active cooling is needed to protect those most vulnerable to overheating and have taken steps to enable access to clean heat technologies that can also provide cooling functionality when necessary. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will provide £2,500 grants for air‑to‑air heat pumps, which can also provide cooling.

The Government also embed overheating considerations through the Decent Homes Standard (DHS), Awaab’s Law, and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the contribution of UK aviation emissions to the Government’s net zero targets; and what further measures she is considering to reduce emissions from the aviation sector while maintaining connectivity and economic growth.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises that aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise, but also one that is vital to the UK’s connectivity, trade and economic growth. The Department regularly assesses the contribution of UK aviation emissions towards meeting our legally binding net zero commitments, and routinely reports to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the projected impact of aviation decarbonisation policies, to support monitoring of economy-wide carbon budget performance.

We have announced that we are also reviewing our Jet Zero Strategy (published in 2022), which outlines our approach to aviation decarbonisation, with a view to publish an updated Strategy in early 2027. This will ensure that our aviation decarbonisation policies and framework continue to be accurate and robust.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Mrs Elsie Blundell; Jacob Collier

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Mrs Elsie Blundell

The Government has published a draft of the National Policy Statement (NPS) that would be used as the basis for making a decision on whether to grant planning consent for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Submit Evidence (by 16 Oct 2026)

The Transport Committee is examining how transport issues can act as a barrier to young people finding, taking up and remaining in employment or training.

Submit Evidence (by 25 Mar 2033)

The Transport Committee is looking at how effectively the Government is keeping women and girls safe as they travel, and what more could be done to ensure that they can make their journeys without fear of violence, intimidation or harassment.