Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of means testing the winter fuel payment on levels of fuel poverty in the winter of 2024-25.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department has not made an assessment of the potential impact of means testing the Winter Fuel Payment on levels of fuel poverty in winter 2024-25. A statistical publication estimating the rate of fuel poverty for those in receipt of Winter Fuel Payment in 2023, and the proportion of households who would be in fuel poverty under new eligibility criteria, will be published in due course.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support the growth of the offshore energy sector in North Tyneside constituency.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme supported Smulders' £70 million investment in Wallsend to expand their fabrication manufacturing capability, supporting 325 jobs. We have announced £960 million for a new Green Industries Growth Accelerator, supporting manufacturing investments in clean energy.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made a recent estimate of the number of people who are qualified to fit heat pumps.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Heat Pump Association estimates that over 30,000 additional heat pump installers will be needed by 2028.
As of November 2023, there are over 1,700 businesses in the UK certified with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to install heat pumps; estimated to employ over 7,000 installers.
The total number of trained heat pump installers is, however, likely to be greater than this, as MCS Certification is only required for installations receiving Government grant funding.
These figures are in line with estimates by the Heat Pump Association of the number of heat pump installers needed for current levels of deployment.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of how many people are qualified to fit heat pumps; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Graham Stuart
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.