Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
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 whether current UK energy policy is contributing to the offshoring of energy‑intensive manufacturing capacity.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to her on 22 May to Question UIN 1608.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
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 impact of UK industrial electricity prices on the international competitiveness of UK‑based energy‑intensive manufacturing sectors.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises the pressure high energy costs place on businesses.
Through the British Industry Supercharger, the Government is increasing network charge discounts from 60% to 90% since April 2026 for energy‑intensive industries.
In addition, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for over 10,000 firms in key manufacturing sectors, helping align UK prices with European competitors and strengthen competitiveness.
Our Clean Power by 2030 mission will bring down bills, reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and the risk of carbon leakage.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has been made of how many UK manufacturing jobs are at risk if industrial energy prices are not brought into line with international competitors.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises that high industrial electricity prices are a significant pressure on UK manufacturers. While we do not publish a single estimate of jobs at risk from international energy price differentials, we are taking action to reduce costs for industry.
The British Industry Supercharger is already supporting around 550 of the most electricity-intensive businesses and from 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for more than 10,000 businesses, bringing UK prices more closely in line with European competitors. We are continuing our work to develop policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas for the non-domestic sector and intend to consult on options.
The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan will reduce the UK’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets to deliver long-term affordability. Alongside this, the Clean Energy Jobs Plan sets out that the delivery of our clean energy superpower mission could support up to 860,000 jobs across the UK by 2030.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if subsidising carbon capture of certain industrial assets and not others is anti-competitive and risks creating a low carbon monopoly.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government support for Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) has been designed to be compliant with the UK’s subsidy control regime. Support is awarded through transparent and competitive processes, with clear eligibility and assessment criteria, and designed to ensure that subsidies are proportionate, targeted, and minimise domestic or international market distortions.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
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 impact of Net Zero policies on household energy bills.
Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Continued over-reliance on volatile fossil fuels is a proven driver of high and unstable bills. That is why the government is driving forward with building record levels of renewables and nuclear, to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and ensure more stable energy costs and bills.
Families and businesses will see lower bills through the rollout of clean technologies like solar, batteries and, with the right tariff, heat pumps and electric vehicles. For example, installing solar could save households up to £500 a year and electric cars can reduce drivers’ running costs by up to £1,400 annually. In the short term, we have already taken action on bills, taking an average of £150 of costs off household bills at the Budget, with those decisions now factored into bills for the years to come.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs created and lost as a result of Net Zero policies since 2020.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The most recent official statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that there were up to 453,900 full-time equivalent jobs in the UK’s low carbon and renewable energy economy and its wider supply chain in 2024. This represents an increase of 39% compared with 325,700 jobs in 2020.
The UK Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan sets out that the clean energy workforce could grow to around 860,000 jobs by 2030, an increase of over 400,000 compared to 2023.
Independent analysis by Robert Gordon University indicates that, under a pathway consistent with delivering clean power, job creation in clean energy sectors is expected to exceed projected job reductions in oil and gas, with renewables supporting more jobs overall over time.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
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 whether current Maximum Resale Price regulations provide adequate consumer protection for park home residents who are unable to choose their own electricity supplier.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is very clear that resellers such as landlords should not profit from reselling energy to consumers. The maximum price at which gas or electricity can be resold to domestic consumers is the same price that the reseller (such as the park home site operator) paid for it, including standing charges. This Maximum Resale Pricing (MRP) provides transparency and protections for consumers and is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator.
Currently, consumers who suspect that MRP has been breached can request evidence from landlords, review bills and contracts and, if necessary, pursue disputes through tribunals or civil courts.
However, Ofgem realise that enforcement mechanisms are failing to protect some consumers. Ofgem’s current review of the MRP sought views on fair pricing and consumer protection, with a policy consultation planned for Summer 2026.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to issue updated guidance on the calculation of electricity resale charges for residents of park home sites.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is very clear that resellers such as landlords should not profit from reselling energy to consumers. The maximum price at which gas or electricity can be resold to domestic consumers is the same price that the reseller (such as the park home site operator) paid for it, including standing charges. This Maximum Resale Pricing (MRP) provides transparency and protections for consumers and is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator.
Currently, consumers who suspect that MRP has been breached can request evidence from landlords, review bills and contracts and, if necessary, pursue disputes through tribunals or civil courts.
However, Ofgem realise that enforcement mechanisms are failing to protect some consumers. Ofgem’s current review of the MRP sought views on fair pricing and consumer protection, with a policy consultation planned for Summer 2026.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
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 merits of requiring electricity resellers on park home sites to itemise (a) standing charges and (b) unit rates separately when billing residents.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is very clear that resellers such as landlords should not profit from reselling energy to consumers. The maximum price at which gas or electricity can be resold to domestic consumers is the same price that the reseller (such as the park home site operator) paid for it, including standing charges. This Maximum Resale Pricing (MRP) provides transparency and protections for consumers and is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator.
Currently, consumers who suspect that MRP has been breached can request evidence from landlords, review bills and contracts and, if necessary, pursue disputes through tribunals or civil courts.
However, Ofgem realise that enforcement mechanisms are failing to protect some consumers. Ofgem’s current review of the MRP sought views on fair pricing and consumer protection, with a policy consultation planned for Summer 2026.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
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 adequacy of the (a) transparency and (b) fairness of blended electricity resale pricing models used on residential park home sites under the Maximum Resale Price provisions.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is very clear that resellers such as landlords should not profit from reselling energy to consumers. The maximum price at which gas or electricity can be resold to domestic consumers is the same price that the reseller (such as the park home site operator) paid for it, including standing charges. This Maximum Resale Pricing (MRP) provides transparency and protections for consumers and is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator.
Currently, consumers who suspect that MRP has been breached can request evidence from landlords, review bills and contracts and, if necessary, pursue disputes through tribunals or civil courts.
However, Ofgem realise that enforcement mechanisms are failing to protect some consumers. Ofgem’s current review of the MRP sought views on fair pricing and consumer protection, with a policy consultation planned for Summer 2026.