Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of blending hydrogen with natural gas in the gas grid on (a) carbon emissions from domestic heating and (b) consumer prices.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
BEIS officials are working with industry to understand the potential for blending hydrogen with natural gas in the grid. This work includes investigating the range of carbon emissions that could be saved in different blending scenarios, depending on the scale of blending and source of hydrogen.
BEIS officials will be working closely with Ofgem and industry to explore the potential for a future billing methodology – that fairly considers hydrogen blends whilst protecting consumers. Any GB-wide changes will depend on hydrogen blending being proven safe and affordable.
We do not expect an impact on consumer bills when trialling hydrogen blending in the gas grid.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department will take to ensure the electricity network in (a) rural and (b) other areas is able to meet increasing demand from the charging of electric vehicles.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Mechanisms are in place to ensure networks are prepared for the significant new demand for electricity from the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The Government is working with partners in the Devolved Administrations to ensure that there are strong and coordinated plans in place to support the rollout of charging infrastructure across the country.
Ensuring the adequacy of local electricity networks is the responsibility of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and they are incentivised to do so through the regulatory framework set by Ofgem, the independent regulator. My officials regularly meet DNOs covering both rural and other areas to discuss the impacts of the EV transition. I recognise the particular issues that rural areas may face, such as longer distances between substations.
EVs also offer new opportunities for consumers to be part of a smarter and more flexible energy system. Smart charging can help reduce constraints on the network by shifting charging to off-peak periods. In 2019 the Government consulted on mandating that all private charge points sold or installed in the UK must have smart functionality and meet device level requirements. We intend to lay the relevant legislation later this year.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which stakeholders the Office for Product Safety and Standards plans to consult as its review of the Product Safety framework; and when that consultation will commence.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government has commenced its review of the UK Product Safety framework. The aim of our review is to ensure we have a Product Safety framework that is simple, flexible and fit for the future and delivers safety for consumers while supporting businesses to innovate and grow. The review is at an early stage of gathering evidence on current, emerging and anticipated challenges and opportunities for product safety.
In the coming months we will be engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including groups representing businesses and manufacturers, along with consumer and safety organisations. Engagement will inform if and how the UK Product Safety framework could be improved to work better for everyone.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Post Office Ltd on support for sub post offices during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.
Answered by Paul Scully
Following the announcement of the lockdown, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has put in place additional support to the most affected businesses, worth £4.6 billion across the United Kingdom. Post Offices are eligible to be awarded financial support through these measures. Post Offices are also able to access other existing business support schemes, such as VAT deferrals.
In addition, Post Office Ltd’s Hardship Scheme remains open for Postmasters who are experiencing severe financial issues. Postmasters have been reminded of the application process and eligibility criteria. Further information on the Hardship scheme can be found at: https://www.onepostoffice.co.uk/secure/covid-19-situation/post-office-hardship-scheme/.
We continue to work closely with Post Office Ltd, the National Federation of SubPostmasters and other stakeholders to understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on the operation of the Post Office and how the Government can support Postmasters through this period.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment has he made of the implications for his Department’s policy of the antitrust charges brought against Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the independent non-Ministerial department responsible for investigating competition issues in the UK. The Government has ensured that the CMA has significant powers to investigate and act if it finds that companies are behaving anti-competitively in a market.
In July 2020, the CMA published the final report of its market study into online platforms and digital advertising. In the recent response to the market study, the Government agreed with the CMA’s findings that Google and Facebook are dominant in the search and social media markets and that this is leading to higher prices for goods and services, less innovation and less choice for consumers.
The Government also announced the intention to establish and fund a Digital Markets Unit (DMU) within the CMA from April 2021, to create a new pro-competition regime for digital markets. A consultation on the DMU will be published in early 2021 and the Government will legislate to put it on a statutory footing as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will undertake a review of the adequacy of access to bereavement leave for (a) people who are self-employed and (b) other workers; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government recognises that the death of a close family member, friend, or colleague can be deeply upsetting.
We introduced Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay for employed parents in April this year.
So far, the Government has focused on supporting employed parents as they do not generally have the same level of flexibility and autonomy over the time they take off work and we continue to keep all support for employed and self-employed parents under review.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has had with employers on the adequacy of access to bereavement or compassionate leave for employees on zero-hour contracts.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government recognises that bereavement can be a deeply upsetting experience. We believe that individuals are best placed to understand their own specific needs and we encourage their employers to respond in an appropriate and sensitive way.
Recognising that the death of a child is particularly tragic, we introduced Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay in April this year.
All employees are also able to take reasonable time off for an emergency involving a dependant. This can be used to deal with some of the practicalities that surround a bereavement, including registering the death, making funeral arrangements and attending the funeral.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on levels of demand for electricity of the transition to electric vehicles by 2030.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Each year BEIS publishes updated energy projections (UEPs), analysing and projecting future energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. The most recently published assessment (EEP 2019) included assumptions on the transition to electric vehicles and accounted for policies which were considered firm and funded by autumn 2019. Forthcoming energy projections will be updated to account for the latest policy decisions, including ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.
We expect the transition to electric vehicles to create significant new demand for electricity but also offer opportunities for flexible management of the electricity system. Smart charging during off-peak periods, when electricity demand is low, can reduce peak demand and avoid triggering unnecessary network reinforcement. It can also maximise use of renewable electricity and can benefit consumers with cheaper electricity.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of local electricity grids in rural areas to meet the potential demand as a result of a transition to electric vehicles.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Ensuring the adequacy of local electricity grids is the responsibility of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and they are incentivised to do so through the regulatory framework set out by Ofgem, the independent regulator. Network investment is therefore a matter for Ofgem. However, I recognise the importance of electricity distribution network investment in meeting our objectives for the electrification of transport, taking into account the particular issues that rural areas may face such as longer distances to substations. BEIS officials regularly meet DNOs covering both rural and urban areas to discuss the impacts of the electric vehicle transition and the benefits that local area energy planning can bring in coordinating transport and electricity policy and investment.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with electricity network distribution operators on investment in rural electricity grids to meet potential demand as a result of a transition to electric vehicles.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Ensuring the adequacy of local electricity grids is the responsibility of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and they are incentivised to do so through the regulatory framework set out by Ofgem, the independent regulator. Network investment is therefore a matter for Ofgem. However, I recognise the importance of electricity distribution network investment in meeting our objectives for the electrification of transport, taking into account the particular issues that rural areas may face such as longer distances to substations. BEIS officials regularly meet DNOs covering both rural and urban areas to discuss the impacts of the electric vehicle transition and the benefits that local area energy planning can bring in coordinating transport and electricity policy and investment.