Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has for a successor to the Energy Company Obligation scheme (ECO4), including (a) a timetable for its introduction and (b) arrangements for the transition between schemes.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has decided not to replace ECO4 when it ends this year. While the scheme has played an important role, it has faced significant challenges, particularly around poor-quality installations.
This does not mean reducing support for low-income households. The Warm Homes Plan will provide targeted assistance through public funding and support the workforce to access new opportunities through £15bn of investment. The Government also announced at the Budget an additional £1.5bn in grant-funding for low-income families.
To support this transition, ECO4 has been extended until the end of 2026 to enable remediation and minimise disruption to the supply chain.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
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 (a) the adequacy of funding for the Energy Company Obligation scheme (ECO4) following its extension and (b) the level of funding available to support delivery.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Energy supplier obligation schemes will not be continuing. The government has agreed to a 9-month extension of ECO4 until 31 December 2026 to allow installers to carry out any remedial works needed following findings of non-compliance in external wall insulation. The extension will support the remediation process and assist an orderly close-down of ECO where energy suppliers can fulfil their delivery obligations, however it is not supported by a new levy or increased targets.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
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 Energy Company Obligation scheme on (a) the delivery of energy efficiency measures, (b) employment levels in the retrofit sector, (c) business viability in that sector and (d) support for households in fuel poverty.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Since ECO was launched in January 2013, it has delivered around 4.5 million measures in around 2.6 million properties (up to the end of February 2026). Of these measures, 52% were insulation measures while the rest were heating and micro-generation measures.
An evaluation of ECO4 is underway, which is looking at scheme impacts on supply chain growth, specialisation and workload from the perspectives of installers, as well as the proportion of ECO4 beneficiary households who were in fuel poverty prior to ECO4. Evaluation reports will be published later this year.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration he has given to protections for existing Feed-in Tariffs scheme participants in any change to indexation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the importance of regulatory stability for maintaining an attractive investment environment. The Government also considers that it is appropriate to periodically review schemes to ensure they continue to represent value for money for the households and businesses that bear the costs of this support. As the scheme is now closed, these changes will apply to existing Feed-in Tariffs generators. However, generators will continue to receive inflation-indexed payments for the full lifetime of their support.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
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 impact of changing Feed-in Tariffs scheme indexation from RPI to CPI on (a) domestic, (b) community energy and (c) commercial installations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon Friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth (Jayne Kirkham) on 18 December 2025 to Question 100172.
Updated analysis has since been published alongside the Government Response.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
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 (a) Ofcom, (b) network operators and (c) energy suppliers on improving signal coverage in areas where smart meters are unable to maintain a reliable connection.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Data Communications Company (DCC) - the licensed body that is responsible for the provision of communication and data services for smart metering in GB - is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide smart meter network coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage.
The Government is working closely with the DCC and energy suppliers to ensure smart meter connectivity can be extended to currently unserved properties as soon as reasonably possible. One such solution, due to be trialled shortly, would involve with their consent, using customers’ broadband connections, to carry smart metering communications.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding his Department has allocated to support Sizewell C nuclear plant in advance of the final investment decision for that plant.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Sizewell C Development Expenditure Subsidy Scheme (DEVEX Scheme) has been made for £5.5bn for the Sizewell C company. Under this scheme to date, £3.9bn has been awarded to the company, in two tranches, one of £1.2bn and one of £2.7bn.
Prior to these awards, the Department had awarded £2.5bn to the project since the Government Investment Decision in November 2022 under the SZC Investment Funding Scheme.
Hence, in total, the Department has to date allocated £6.4bn to the project under both subsidy scheme.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
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 tackle fuel poverty in the Stratford-on-Avon constituency in winter 2024-25.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh
There are multiple targeted schemes to deliver energy efficiency measures to low-income and fuel poor households. The Warm Home Discount schemes also provide a £150 rebate off bills to eligible low-income households across Great Britain.
The Government has kickstarted delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including an initial £1.8 billion to support fuel poverty schemes over the next 3 years, helping around 225,000 households reduce their energy bills by around £200.
We will consult shortly on proposals for privately rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030. We are also reviewing the 2021 fuel poverty strategy.