Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the national gird infrastructure's resilience to hazards caused by climate change in (a) Broxtowe, (b) the East Midlands and (c) England.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Maintaining a secure and resilient energy system is a top priority for Government. We work continually with industry to improve and maintain the resilience and security of energy infrastructure, considering a range of evolving risks and hazards – including changing climate.
The National Energy System Operator, an independent technical body, delivers resilience functions, including understanding and planning system resilience.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of climate change on the operating costs of small and medium-sized businesses.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility found that the UK’s economy would decline by nearly 8% by the early 2070s, if the world warms by just below 3C this century, compared to a no climate change baseline.
That is why we are supporting SMEs to reduce costs, build resilience and access the benefits the net zero transition presents. This includes advice and guidance through the UK Business Climate Hub to help SMEs take action on their energy bills. The Willow Review found 67% of SMEs have seen reduced operational costs from taking action on sustainability.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 invest in Geothermal energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We know that to achieve net zero, we must look at how we can accelerate the potential of all low carbon technologies including geothermal.
The Government understands that geothermal can play a role in decarbonising heat particularly as a heat source for heat networks.
We provide support through the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) for the construction and expansion of low-carbon heat networks including those that utilise deep or shallow geothermal heat.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the geographic suitability of locations in the UK for investment in geothermal energy; and what potential has been identified for such investment in (a) the UK, (b) the Midlands and (c) Broxtowe.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department has undertaken analysis through the UK Geothermal Platform and the “UK Geothermal Energy Review and Cost Estimations” (2025). The Platform provides national mapping of geothermal suitability and supports early-stage investment decisions. The Review finds that geothermal can provide reliable, low carbon heat and power, but projects typically involve high upfront capital costs and outcomes vary depending on local geology. Across the UK, including the Midlands and Broxtowe, there is potential for investment; however, viability depends on site-specific conditions and detailed feasibility assessments.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 extend the length of time that wind turbines may remain in operation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Extending the length of time that wind turbines remain in operation is a commercial decision for individual developers and can depend on factors such as maintenance of the asset, cost and planning considerations.
However, government are supporting applications to extend operational life in the planning system through giving significant weight to the benefits of utilising an established site, making updates to planning policy documents and publishing a training document for Local Planning Authorities.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 ensure that decommissioned wind turbine blades are able to be recycled.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Turbines are largely made from non-hazardous materials such as steel and copper and around 85-90% of a turbine is recyclable. Industry is working to develop innovative ways of recycling or reusing the remaining percentage, such as by making cement.
The Government wants to expedite recycling research and has recently made grants available, including a £13 million funding round from the UKRI for “Research to advance UK recycling capabilities”, and is currently exploring wider enabling policy options to support the sector in embedding greater circularity throughout the lifecycle of wind assets.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of releasing the investment reserve for British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme pensions to its members.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The then Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones) met the BCSSS Trustees on 22 April, 11 June and 22 July and confirmed the Government’s commitment to considering their proposals regarding the reserve and the future of the scheme. DESNZ will now engage HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.
The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 current EPC rating assessment criteria on landlords' ability to meet those criteria.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh
The Government is reforming Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), including the current EPC rating assessment criteria and the methodology that underpins this, with new and amended metrics due to be introduced for domestic buildings under the Home Energy Model (HEM). More information, including the consultation stage impact assessment, can be found in the consultation ‘Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime’ on gov.uk.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 disabled households with additional energy costs from (a) medical equipment and (b) home adaptions.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh
The Government knows that more needs to be done to support vulnerable households which are struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power, particularly those where energy costs are high out of medical necessity. The Department’s Warm Home Discount (WHD) provides a £150 rebate off winter energy bills for eligible low-income households. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The Warm Home Discount regulations expire in 2026, and we will want to consider all options for future bill support beyond this point.
In the interim, I appreciate that one of the biggest practical barriers to providing help to households that need it, is the availability of the right data to target financial support and advice. The Department is working closely with other government departments to unlock the data that will enable us to target support more effectively to those who need help with their energy bills.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 made an assessment of the potential of abandoned coal mine sites in the East Midlands for producing low cost and sustainable geothermal energy.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy
To achieve net zero at lowest cost, the UK must look at how to accelerate all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The mine water from coal mines shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks. The government is therefore supporting mine water schemes at Gateshead and Seaham Garden Village through the Heat Network Investment Project and the Green Heat Network Fund. Whilst no specific assessment has been made of the East Midlands potential the Northeast Local Enterprise Partnership published a report in 2021, supported by the Midlands Energy Hub, assessing options to increase deployment and the Mining Remediation Authority has released opportunity maps.