Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what quantity of plutonium was added to the civil plutonium stockpile in the last year.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK is no longer adding to the inventory of separated civil plutonium through reprocessing spent fuel. The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield is now closed, having ceased reprocessing operations in November 2018 and the Magnox reprocessing facility ceased reprocessing operations in 2022.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what quantities of unprocessed plutonium remain within discharged irradiated spent nuclear fuel at (a) nuclear reactor sites and (b) Sellafield.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Plutonium is a by-product of nuclear fission, and it is present in small quantities in spent irradiated fuel. However, the quantities would vary based on the fuel and reactor type.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation publishes annual figures on estimated amounts of plutonium contained in spent civil reactor fuel in the UK. The most recently published data can be found at the following link: 2023 annual figures for holdings of civil unirradiated plutonium | Office for Nuclear Regulation
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the current volume is of the civil plutonium stockpile in tonnes.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As of 31 December 2023, the total holding of separated civil plutonium in the UK was 140.9 tonnes.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation publishes annual figures on the UK's separated plutonium inventory. The most recently published data can be found at the following link: 2023 annual figures for holdings of civil unirradiated plutonium | Office for Nuclear Regulation
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much and what proportion of UK emissions came from refrigerated transport in the latest period for which data is available.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics include emissions from refrigerated transport. However, not all of these emissions are identified separately as some are aggregated with other emissions. For example, emissions where refrigeration is powered by the main engine of a vehicle are included with other goods vehicles.
Emissions are identifiable in two cases:
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
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 businesses planning to invest in the UK under the Technology Prosperity Deal on making investments in renewable energy.
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: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage companies building AI infrastructure to use renewable energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is determined to facilitate the deployment of data centres in ways that are compatible with its Clean Power 2030 ambition. Through the AI Energy Council and its working groups, it has brought the energy and tech industries together at the highest levels to consider the ways in which data centres can be powered by reliable low-carbon generation.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
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 align the oil and gas sector with international climate commitments.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK is committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels and meeting global climate targets.
The Government has published supplementary environmental guidance on end-use emissions from burning extracted offshore oil and gas. This guidance will ensure that the full environmental impact of offshore hydrocarbon development projects is considered. Environmental Impact Assessments will be subject to a robust regulatory decision-making process.
The Government supports decarbonising oil and gas production. It has also consulted on its commitment to not issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields and will publish a response setting out its next steps in due course.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
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 support prepayment meter customers unable to access (a) heating and (b) power.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Customers who are unable to top up their prepayment meter may be able to obtain a fuel voucher, access to emergency credit or be eligible for Cold Weather Payments, the Warm Home Discount or the Winter Fuel Payment. Customers should contact their energy supplier if they have concerns and information on support with paying energy bills can be found on Citizens Advice's website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from this winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bills.
On 25 September we published a consultation setting out our intention to continue support for those 6 million households. The consultation sets out proposals for the next scheme period (up to winter 2030/31), after current regulations expire on 31 March 2026. Government is gathering feedback from stakeholders on:
The consultation closes on Thursday 20 November.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
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 Office for National Statistics' document entitled Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators: 2 October 2025, published on 2 October 2025, what steps his Department is taking to help support consumers with recent trends in automotive fuel prices.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is implementing Fuel Finder, an open data scheme for road fuel prices, to help drive down pump prices by reigniting competition and empowering drivers to find the best deals for the cheapest fuel in their area.
The Competition and Markets Authority has also received statutory information gathering powers through the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Act 2024 so it can monitor and scrutinise fuel prices.
Taken together, these provisions will have a positive effect on the road fuels retail market, both in terms of facilitating competition at a national and local level and protecting consumer interests.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
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 plans to take to support (a) lower income families and (b) pensioners impacted by the energy price cap increase.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government knows that more needs to be done to support vulnerable households struggling with their energy bills. That's why we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from this winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs. The Warm Home Discount regulations expire in 2026, and we will want to consider all options for future bill support beyond this point.
I have been clear with suppliers that they should do all that they can to support their customers – including vulnerable consumers – who may be struggling with their bills. I would urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support. Your constituent can also visit the GOV.UK website, where extra cost-of-living support can be found - www.gov.uk/cost-of-living.