Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of her Department’s (a) advertising and (b) marketing expenditure was on (i) local newspapers in print and online, (ii) national newspapers in print and online, (iii) social media, (iv) search engines, (v) broadcast and on-demand television and (vi) other channels in the most recent year for which data is available.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Department does not yet have final figures for its 2023/24 advertising and marketing expenditure, the first full year since the Department was created. This information will be published in the Department’s annual accounts on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
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 potential regional disparities in fuel prices; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Competition and Markets Authority’s road fuel market study found that with the exception of Northern Ireland, differences in average prices between the regions of the UK are relatively small but there was much wider variation within the rural and urban categories than between them.
These differences can be driven by lower competition at a local level, as well as differences in rent and staff costs. In addition, forecourts selling smaller volumes may require a higher price per litre to cover their costs.
The Government will consult on a statutory open data scheme and an ongoing road fuels monitoring function which should help to reduce regional price disparities.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what (a) algorithmic and (b) other automated decision making systems his Department uses; and for what purposes.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department’s Analysts use machine learning techniques where appropriate as part of analytical support to policy development. However, there is no use of such algorithms for automated decision making.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure of 14 June 2023 at Topical Questions, T7, Official Report, column 286, what plans his Department has to (a) utilise the provisions in Part 3 of the Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill and (b) use smart data in new sectors.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK energy system is increasing in complexity, with increasing intermittent generation and consumers engaged with their energy use. In the Energy Digitalisation Strategy (2021), the Government states that data sharing and digitalisation will be crucial to managing this complexity
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is a member of the Smart Data Council, which aims to drive appropriate data sharing and best practice, and inform the evolution of Smart Data policy. The Government will work across relevant Departments and regulators to identify relevant opportunities in the energy sector.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his Department's policy that recipients of the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme will receive a reduction in their allowance under that Scheme if they change their fuel source from home coal to (a) gas or (b) electricity.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Concessionary fuel entitlements are governed by historic agreements negotiated between the employer(s) and mining unions prior to the Government assuming responsibility for the liability.
Cash amounts are dependent on several factors, including the scheme the concessionaire belongs to and whether the entitlement arises from being a management or clerical grade.
Before switching from a solid fuel entitlement to cash-in-lieu, concessionaires should contact the National Concessionary Fuel Office which will advise them on the level of entitlement that applies to their individual circumstances.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
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 people will no longer receive the Warm Homes Discount as a result of changes in the eligibility criteria for 2023.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford South on 9 March 2023 to Question 156174.