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 the cost of energy standing charges on households in North Wales.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are committed to bearing down on the cost of standing charges and continue to work closely with the independent regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.

As a result of action following the Autumn Budget, and shifting the recovery of the Warm Home Discount to unit rates, the average standing charge in the Price Cap from April to end June has come down by £13, and standing charges are lower now than in July 2024.

In addition, on 25 February Ofgem announced the launch of a one-year, lower standing charge tariff pilot with some major suppliers, from April 2026.

Through its Cost Allocation and Recovery Review, Ofgem has also been reviewing how fixed costs, which tend to be funded through standing charges, should be recovered in the future energy system. This includes whether those fixed costs could be recovered in more progressive ways.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help reduce industrial energy costs for businesses in Wales.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a flagship policy designed to address high industrial electricity costs in manufacturing and boost their global competitiveness and will apply to eligible businesses in Wales. There are separate plans to increase the level of the discount on electricity network charges from 60% to 90% under the Network Charging Compensation Scheme. This will benefit several businesses across Wales who currently receive support through the British Industry Supercharger. The Government has also launched a consultation on Corporate Power Purchase Agreements to help businesses secure more stable electricity for the long term.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on support for the steel industry in Wales.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ministerial colleagues and I have had regular engagement with the Welsh Government on steel, through interministerial discussions, and official level engagement.

The Department has worked closely with the Welsh Government to develop the upcoming steel strategy and the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning is a member of the Steel Council. We have collaborated on areas of the strategy that have devolved elements including skills, procurement and R&D, as well as discussions to ensure the successful transformation of Port Talbot.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing the developing nation exemptions for steel producing countries on the steel industry in Wales.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In light of the expiry of the steel safeguard in June 2025, we are currently developing a new, robust trade measure to support resilient and secure supply chains.

Officials are working closely with stakeholders across the sector, and we are assessing a full range of supply chain interests in designing the measure, including for developing nations. This also includes consideration of UK demand patterns and import shares. Our approach will remain firmly evidence based and fully consistent with the UK’s international and domestic legal obligations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing domestic quotas for steel which reflect changes in UK (a) demand and (b) import shares.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In light of the expiry of the steel safeguard in June 2025, we are currently developing a new, robust trade measure to support resilient and secure supply chains.

Officials are working closely with stakeholders across the sector, and we are assessing a full range of supply chain interests in designing the measure, including for developing nations. This also includes consideration of UK demand patterns and import shares. Our approach will remain firmly evidence based and fully consistent with the UK’s international and domestic legal obligations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many privately rented properties in Wales are eligible for the property‑value adjustment exemption set out in the consultation response entitled Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

From 1 October 2030, private rented homes must meet the required standard of EPC C, or have a valid exemption registered, to be let. Government has committed to developing a property-value adjustment exemption for privately rented properties that are valued at less than £100,000. No properties are eligible for the property-value adjustment exemption until 1 October 2030.

Once the exemption is in place, private rented sector properties in Wales valued under £100,000 will be subject to a lower maximum spend requirement. Further guidance on exemptions will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to pages 37 and 38 of 'Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: impact assessment', for what reason there is no specific data for Wales.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The analysis in the impact assessment is produced using the Department’s National Buildings Model, which is based on the English Housing Survey and therefore covers England only. The results are scaled to reflect the number of dwellings in Wales, with Wales assumed to follow the overall average. Further details on the modelling approach and the National Buildings Model are set out in Annex B of the Impact Assessment.

The UK government has worked closely with the Welsh government to develop the policy.

Restructuring at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Sign Language Week

LGBTQ+ veterans

Changes to State Pension age affecting 1950s-born women

Decoupling the price of gas from electricity

Government contract with Palantir Technologies

Heating oil prices

Energy prices for households and businesses

Creative industries and the use of AI

Congratulations to Hollie Davidson

Oil prices and the cost of living

Royal Mail delivery standards

International Women's Day 2026 and women’s inclusion in placemaking

Use of catapults against wildlife

Dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands

Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2026

Submit Evidence (by 4 May 2026)

The rate of child poverty in Wales has changed very little over the past two decades, with around a third of Welsh children living in poverty during that time. Currently, 31% of children in Wales live in relative income poverty after housing costs. However, that figure also varies significantly depending on a family's circumstances, with larger families, lone parent families and families with at least one disabled adult or child experiencing higher rates of child poverty.