Asked by: Peter Bottomley (Conservative - Worthing West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make it her policy to make the approval of wood-burning power stations to be built after 2027 contingent on parliamentary approval.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ensuring the electricity system is reliable, as well as net zero consistent, means variable renewables, such as wind and solar, need to be complemented by technologies which can provide dispatchable or baseload power.
Biomass electricity generation can provide this flexibility and plays a key role in delivering a more secure, clean energy sector in Britain.
Parliamentary approval was granted for the updated energy National Policy Statements on 17 January 2024. This covers the use of biomass in electricity generation at the scale of Nationally Significant Infrastructure under the Planning Act (which applies to projects in England and Wales).
Asked by: Peter Bottomley (Conservative - Worthing West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to seek approval from Parliament before taking a decision on burning of wood in UK power stations after 2027.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is currently consulting on potential arrangements to help facilitate the transition of large-scale biomass generation to power bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. Responses to the consultation will help to inform government policy on this matter. As set out in the consultation, a potential support mechanism is expected to require secondary legislation which would be brought to Parliament as part of the legislative process.
Asked by: Peter Bottomley (Conservative - Worthing West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will reopen the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding scheme to enable households that were eligible for that scheme and did not apply to access that support; and if he will make an estimate of the number of households that have not yet received that support.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government currently does not have any plans to reopen the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. The Government estimated that there were around 900,000 households eligible for the scheme, and the current application figures can be found on GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-alternative-fund-gb-ni-and-alternative-fuel-payment-alternative-fund-applications-made-by-customers.
I recommend that any household who was not able to access the EBSS AF visits the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to view what other support they may be able to receive - https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/.
Asked by: Peter Bottomley (Conservative - Worthing West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of eligible (a) park home and (b) all households have received Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding payments; how much and what proportion of the money allocated to the scheme has been paid out; and if he will make a statement on how eligible households can now receive this money.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government published the latest figures for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) on GOV.UK on 13 July, with figures correct as of 29 June - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-alternative-fund-gb-ni-and-alternative-fuel-payment-alternative-fund-applications-made-by-customers. Officials estimated that there were around 900,000 households eligible for the scheme, including an estimated 85,000 – 125,000 park homes. The department was allocated £362m from HM Treasury to deliver the scheme, with over £60m being paid out to eligible households.
The EBSS AF closed on 31 May. No new applications can now be made. The Government recommends that any household that did not apply for support or were ineligible and require help with their energy bills visits the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to view what other support may be available - https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/.
Asked by: Peter Bottomley (Conservative - Worthing West)
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 in response to comments made by the Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on 15 July 2023 on the effectiveness of the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government understands the concerns expressed regarding the take-up of the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. However, the scheme is now closed to new applications. The scheme was open for applications from end February to end May. During that time, the Government used a variety of communication methods to ensure as many eligible households as possible could apply for their support. This included press notices, roundtables with key stakeholders, and a request for local authorities to write to care homes and park home sites in their area.
Asked by: Peter Bottomley (Conservative - Worthing West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much and what proportion of the funding allocated to the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding scheme was not paid to eligible vulnerable households; and how much and what proportion of that funding will be (a) retained by his Department and put to alternative uses and (b) returned to the Treasury.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The department was allocated £362m to deliver the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Over £60m has been paid to eligible households who have made a successful application, and any remaining budget will be returned to HM Treasury.