Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 introducing new consumer protections for heating oil customers.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We welcome the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) commitment to urgently investigate reports from consumers about their experiences in the heating oil market. The CMA is working to publish the findings of its market study later in June.
Ministers continue to meet regularly with the CMA and will work jointly to understand the finding of the market study and develop options to increase consumer protections if required.
The CMA will not hesitate to take action if companies are found to have breached consumer protection law.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 changes in the level of aviation fuel demand on the availability and pricing of kerosene for domestic heating consumers in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK benefits from strong, diverse fuel supply chains, with secure domestic and international routes. The Government is working with industry to monitor supply and maintain stability. We recognise that heating oil users are exposed to short-term global price volatility, which is a significant concern. The Competition and Markets Authority is currently undertaking an accelerated heating oil market study, and the Government will act on its findings to support improved consumer outcomes. In response to rising prices, the Chancellor has announced £53 million to support low‑income households reliant on oil heating.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the downstream oil sector on ensure the supply of kerosene to off-grid households in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has conducted contingency planning relating to potential disruption of kerosene supplies used for domestic heating in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 resilience of domestic kerosene supply chains for those in South Suffolk who heat their homes with heating oil.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 fuel suppliers regarding the availability of kerosene for domestic heating oil users in South Suffolk.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 monitor heating oil supply levels ahead of winter demand periods.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how he plans to support people using heating oil as the primary means to heat their homes.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that many households, particularly in rural and off‑gas‑grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. We continue to monitor heating‑oil supply chains ensuring households can access fuel when needed. Households using heating oil benefit from wider cost‑of‑living support, including electricity bill reductions announced in the Autumn Budget, and the Warm Home Discount, which provides eligible households with £150 off energy bills until 2030/31. Through the Warm Homes Plan, households can access Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants, and the Government has consulted on alternative low‑carbon options for properties where heat pumps may not be suitable.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if (a) his Department and (b) Ofgem will make an estimate of the cost of the (i) sealing end compounds and (ii) other costs associated with the construction of the (A) underground and (B) other sections of National Grid’s proposed Norwich to Tilbury route.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) - to propose the route and obtain planning permission for that route. NGET presented cost estimates for the Norwich to Tilbury proposals in their April 2024 Strategic Options Backcheck and Review.
Ofgem reviews proposed project costs and ensures that network companies spend efficiently. Electricity network reinforcements are only approved where they are in the interests of consumers and help reduce system costs. Ofgem will conduct a detailed cost assessment of this project for the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment Project Assessment stage.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 5 December 2024 to Question 17189 on National Grid: Costs of the Western and Eastern Links, if he will make an estimate of the time for delivering the onshore option for Eastern Green Link 1 and 2.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
At the time of Ofgem’s decision for Eastern Green Link (EGL) 1&2 Final Need Case, an onshore option was expected to be delivered by 2036, based on information provided by the Transmission Owner, National Grid Electricity Transmission. It was not included as part of the Final Need Case,[1] as analysis conducted by the Electricity System Operator found that the reinforcement was needed earlier than the onshore option could be delivered.[2]
[2] https://www.neso.energy/document/162356/download