Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is committed to being an inclusive place to work, in line with our DESNZ Values, and we value all colleagues whose work helps to achieve this. We have not explored the cost impacts of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles. In line with the Civil Service Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Expenditure guidance, published in May 2024, we value internal efficiency as part of promoting efficient and effective EDI practice.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had to ensure that Rosebank and Jackdaw Oil Fields continue in production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not formally use AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will review subsidies given to Biomass production by Drax.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In August, Ofgem concluded its investigation into Drax’s annual profiling reporting requirements relating to the Renewables Obligation. The investigation identified shortcomings in Drax’s governance and controls related to annual profiling data but found no evidence to suggest that Drax had been issued with subsidies incorrectly.
Following a detailed consultation Government recently announced a Heads of Terms agreement with Drax for support during the period 2027 to 2031 after their existing support ends. This provides best value for consumers compared to alternatives, halves the cost of subsidy and strengthens sustainability requirements.
Full details of the new deal are available here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-02-10/hcws424
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households in the UK have been in receipt of Government grants for spray foam insulation.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government does not hold details on the specific products used, however a breakdown of measures installed under the various government grant schemes in recent years can be found in their respective evaluation reports and official statistics on gov.uk.
All measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified.
The government recognises that the system of quality assurance and consumer redress that we inherited needs reform and we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
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 help ensure that net zero policies are affordable for rural households.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to ensuring that energy is affordable for all consumers, including rural households, and we carefully consider all policies to evaluate the impact on bill costs.
Our ambitious Warm Homes Plan, which will publish in due course, will support investment in households, including rural homes, to install energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating to cut bills.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) potential implications for his policies of the level of independence of National Energy System Operator.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The effectiveness and performance of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) is assessed and regulated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).
NESO was designed to be an independent entity. NESO’s independence enables it to provide unbiased, expert advice on critical decisions that shape our energy landscape.
The Government is satisfied that the current arrangements are fit for purpose and will keep them under review as necessary.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many employee settlement agreements there were in his Department in each year since 2020; and what the total value of such agreements is.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ was formed on the 7th of February 2023. In the last year – 2023-24 – there was one settlement agreement of the type outlined. We are unable to disclose the amount given this is a single case.