Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
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 potential merits of decoupling electricity from wholesale gas prices.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because this is the best way to achieve energy independence and protect billpayers. New, clean renewable energy will reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is considering what further steps can be taken to shield consumers from the impacts of potential price spikes and to ensure they benefit from lower cost renewable energy.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has taken on the role of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce could be streamlined into ongoing government activity. The numerous ideas, discussions and draft recommendations will be instrumental in driving forward energy efficiency.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, by what date local authorities are required to start processing applications under the Home Upgrade Grant 2 scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Local Authorities applied for funding under Phase 2 of the Home Upgrade Grant within the bid window of September 2022 to January 2023, and were able to begin delivering installs of energy efficiency measures from April 2023. The timeframe for the assessment of homes and installation of energy efficiency measures will depend on the relevant local authority, but all projects should be completed by March 2025.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to respond to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report to Parliament.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government will respond to the Committee’s report by 31st October 2023.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will discuss with Ofgem the potential merits of reviewing variations in energy providers' (a) gas and (b) electricity standing charges.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The setting of standing charge is a commercial matter for suppliers. Standing charges are capped under the energy price cap which is set by Ofgem to protect customers on default tariffs.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who were eligible for the Warm Homes Discount under the broader group criteria in the previous scheme but do not qualify under the core groups criteria in the current scheme.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bradford South on 9th March 2023 to Question 156174.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people have contacted the Warm Homes Discount helpline as a result of being ineligible for an automatic rebate.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
There have been just over 500,000 calls to the helpline from people who were not identified through the data matching as eligible for an automatic rebate this scheme year.
The Government will publish statistics on eligibility in the summer, after the scheme year has ended.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to paragraph 5.2 of the Autumn Statement 2022, CP751, published on 17 November 2022, what recent progress his Department has made on developing a new approach to consumer protection after April 2024.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Autumn Statement set out a commitment to work with consumer groups and industry on a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets. Officials are proactively reaching out to stakeholders, to discuss their views on the issue. The Government will set out its position when this assessment is complete, in time to deliver a new approach from April 2024.