Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration he has made of the potential merits of blending up to 20% of hydrogen by volume into existing GB gas networks.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are building the evidence base to determine if blending into the transmission network meets the required safety standards, is technically feasible, economic, and supports government’s broader strategic and net zero ambitions. This consultation will help inform the case for and volume of transmission-level blending.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with Offshore Energies UK and the Health and Safety Executive regarding the safety evidence underpinning the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy for offshore helicopter travel; what assessment his Department has made of (a) the proportionality of the proposed 124 kg clothed weight limit in relation to existing offshore safety standards and evacuation equipment capacity and (b) the feasibility of upgrading offshore evacuation and rescue equipment to accommodate a wider range of body weights as an alternative to implementing personal weight restrictions; and what consultation took place with offshore workers, recognised trade unions and employers prior to the introduction of that policy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will implement the recommendations of the Social Tariff Working Group’s final report, published 23 April 2025.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government understands the need to target support to those who need it most. That is why on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills every winter until 2030/31. This means that millions of households every year who need support with their energy bills will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade.
We also committed to exploring additional improvements to the scheme. I welcome the report’s contribution to the consideration of the future of targeted bill support schemes. While we consider options for future bill support, we are working across Government to improve access to and sharing of data to target support more effectively in the future. Specifically, the ‘Kickstarter’ programme under the National Data Library will test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to government programmes. This project will help pave the way for better targeted help to ensure those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Golden age of nuclear delivers UK-US deal on energy security, published on 15 September 2025, what estimate his Department has made of the cost, including (a) new rail infrastructure and (b) armed security cost of transporting nuclear fuel to and from the proposed nuclear power stations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In line with the regulator’s outcome-focused approach to security, each licensed operator must submit a security plan for approval by the ONR that ensures risks are identified and mitigated effectively and meet the robust security standards expected by HMG. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Government to pre-suppose the use of armed security for new infrastructure.
Any costs associated with meeting the security outcome requirements set by the Regulator are met by industry.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what routes of travel are undertaken to transport nuclear waste within the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There are a number of proven routes to transport nuclear waste.
On the grounds of national security, the Government does not publish information on specific routes taken.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the annual security costs are of nuclear waste transport within the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government does not publish the specific security costs of nuclear waste transport on the grounds of national security.
The transportation of nuclear waste materials is long-established and has an excellent safety and security record.
Nuclear waste transports operate within extremely stringent safety and security standards, which are continuously monitored to minimise the risk of any incident.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with the Chief Executive of GB Energy on changes to employment levels in the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department continues to work quickly to set Great British Energy up for success and ensure all British people feel the benefits.
The Office for Clean Energy Jobs has already worked with industry, Scottish Government and unions to launch the ‘Energy Skills Passport’ for offshore Oil and Gas workers, putting clean energy at the heart of our modern industrial strategy.
We are committed to a just transition for industries based in the North Sea. Aberdeen will be at the heart of this transition, supported by initiatives such as the Energy Skills Passport and the Energy Transition Zone.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
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 his Department's policy on hydrogen on regional water availability.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are working with environmental regulators in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as DEFRA and National Energy System Operator (NESO) to ensure that the impact of projects on regional water bodies is carefully considered.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the annual cost is of armed protection of (a) nuclear energy, (b) nuclear waste and (c) other nuclear sites; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Armed protection is provided by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at our most sensitive nuclear sites and by some Home Office Police forces at less sensitive sites.
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary is funded by charges to its service recipients, the site license companies. The costs charged to these for the financial year 2024/25 was:
The security of the UK’s critical national infrastructure is of paramount importance to the Government. The department works with the regulator and industry to respond to changing national security threats.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the routes used to transport nuclear waste within the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on the number of routes used.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Nuclear waste is transported in the UK via road, rail, and sea using specially designed, secure containers that meet stringent international safety standards.
The government takes the security of nuclear material very seriously. Nuclear waste transports operate within extremely stringent safety and security standards, which are continuously monitored to minimise the risk of any incident.