Asked by: Tahir Ali (Labour - Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of Türkiye's capacity and ambition as COP31 host, and what support is the UK offering to help Türkiye deliver a successful summit.
Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We welcome Türkiye’s focus on accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement. Türkiye’s approach to the Action Agenda aligns with UK priorities including clean energy and electrification, green industrialisation and methane. The UK is working with the Presidency and the President of the Negotiations to secure an outcome at COP31 that responds credibly to the science and the course correction needed to keep 1.5°C in reach.
We are working closely with Türkiye and the UNFCCC on preparations for the summit in Antalya. The UK has shared expertise and lessons from our experience as COP26 President, to help ensure COP31 is an ambitious, inclusive and well-delivered summit.
Asked by: Tahir Ali (Labour - Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley)
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 help support SMEs with utility costs.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Eligible Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are supported with their energy costs through the Energy Bills Discount Scheme which provides a baseline discount on high energy bills for 12 months from April 2023 until 31 March 2024. A higher level of support is also provided to some Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETIIs) that are particularly exposed to energy cost increases due to their energy and trade intensity and are therefore less able to pass these costs through to their customers due to international competition.
Asked by: Tahir Ali (Labour - Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with energy regulators on reducing standing charges.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
I regularly meet with Ofgem to discuss the energy retail market, including standing charges. On 16th November, Ofgem announced a call for input on standing charges. Government welcomes this and looks forward to Ofgem’s conclusions.