Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
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 impact the expiry of the Renewables Obligation for LFGTE on 31 March 2027 on local authority finances.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that Renewables Obligation support for most landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) generators ends in April 2027, and that this could affect their commercial viability
DESNZ’s assessment to date has focused on generator viability, and the potential impacts of retirement on energy security and methane emissions, rather than a separate quantified assessment of impacts on local authority finances.
Government plans to publish the consultation on transitional support for landfill gas generation in due course, and would welcome responses from local authorities. Any future support would be subject to rigorous value-for-money and impact assessments.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
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 transitional support for the landfill gas to energy sector will be in place when the Renewables Obligation for LFGTE expires on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that support under the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme will end for existing landfill gas generators from April 2027, which could affect the commercial viability of these generators.
That is why, as set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, Government is exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
DESNZ will shortly consult on these proposals. No final decision has been made, and in assessing the case for any future support, we will consider the outcomes of the consultation process, the economic and environmental impacts, as well as value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
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 impact of the expiry of the Renewables Obligation for LFGTE on the Methane Action Plan.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Analysis published within the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan indicate that the ending of the Renewable Obligation from 2027 could reduce methane capture at landfills in England from ~54% to ~49% without other measures being put in place. However, under the Methane Action Plan, government is exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme and will shortly consult on the potential for providing suitable transitional arrangements.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what powers Ofgem has to intervene where heat network prices are considered excessive.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As the regulator of heat networks, Ofgem have broad powers relating to price regulation. These include powers to investigate and intervene where heat network prices charged to consumers are disproportionate or unfair.
Under Ofgem’s authorisation regime, heat network operators and suppliers are required to charge consumers fairly and guidance has been published on the application of their fair pricing rules.
Heat networks have until January 2027 to register with Ofgem and supply data, including information about pricing. Ofgem will use this to further inform their approach to pricing rules and guidance.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what protections are in place for consumers on heat networks wishing to challenge charges before the completion of the Ofgem authorisation process in January 2027.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Since the introduction of the heat network regulator, Ofgem rules require operators and suppliers to charge consumers fairly and guidance has been published on the application of their fair pricing rules.
Heat networks have until January 2027 to register with Ofgem and supply data, including information about pricing. Ofgem will use this to further inform their approach to pricing rules and guidance.
We have also introduced statutory consumer advice and advocacy services for heat network consumers since April 2025, including on price. For unresolved disputes, heat network consumers can refer their case to the Energy Ombudsman who can provide statutory redress as part of their Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his Department's planned timetable is for the full implementation of the heat network regulatory framework.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government has introduced statutory redress through the energy ombudsman and statutory advice and advocacy through Citizens Advice and Consumer Scotland for heat network consumers from April 2025. The Department has subsequently introduced Ofgem as the heat network regulator from January 2026. Heat network suppliers and operators have until January 2027 to register with Ofgem and supply data. Ofgem will use this to further develop the regulatory regime including informing their approach to pricing rules and guidance.
The Department have also consulted on mandating minimum technical standards for heat networks, to deliver better outcomes for consumers. A government response will be published in due course.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to future proof existing and new housing.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards will come into force on 24 March 2027 and there will be a further transitional period for one year afterwards to allow the construction sector to transition smoothly to the new standards.
The FHS reduces energy demand and removes reliance on the volatile gas market by using highly efficient fabric standards, low‑carbon heating such as heat pumps, and on‑site renewable electricity generation.
Moreover, as set out in the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, consumers will benefit from the biggest public investment in home upgrades in British history, supporting millions of households up to 2030 with measures to reduce bills, and improve our energy security.
This Parliament, we also intend to introduce the most appropriate and cost-effective passive cooling measures into funding schemes focused on improving the homes of low-income consumers and social housing.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to increase the jobs and skills needed in the construction and retrofit sectors to meet the delivery targets in the Warm Homes Plan.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Warm Homes Plan will support up to 180,000 additional jobs in energy efficiency and clean heating by 2030. It includes our £8 million Warm Homes Skills Programme and a £7 million Heat Training Grant already helping people gain requisite skills and qualifications.
The Plan also highlights DESNZ’s wider work to support growth, including co-chairing the Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce to facilitate the transition, creation and growth of a diverse, skilled and resilient workforce for existing workers and new entrants, and working with other government departments and the industry-led Construction Skills Mission Board to accelerate workforce growth in construction.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to reduce electricity costs.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Over this Parliament the government will be working relentlessly to translate the much cheaper wholesale costs of clean power into lower bills for consumers. This will be core to every decision we make.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to incentivise the uptake of heat pumps.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants to property owners to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating. The grant available under the scheme for air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is £7,500.
Support is also available to low-income households and social housing tenants under the Energy Company Obligation, Warm Homes: Local Grant, and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund to install low-carbon heating measures, including heat pumps.
This is in addition to the 0% rate of VAT on the installation of heat pumps, which will last until March 2027.