Oral Answers to Questions

Tracy Gilbert Excerpts

Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Michael Shanks]

As I said during the passage of the Great British Energy Bill, I agree with the hon. Member about the importance of tackling modern slavery as a country across supply chains and across the economy. It is right that we take action. We are tackling forced labour where we find it in global supply chains, and we want to go further. GBE will be a leader in how we tackle modern slavery, and it has set up a function to look at sustainable supply chains and to ensure that they are free from modern slavery.

[Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)]

14. What steps his Department is taking to regulate heat networks.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Martin McCluskey)]

For too long, heat networks have been left unregulated, with consumers paying the price. That is why I am pleased that we have now established Ofgem as the heat network sector regulator, delivering statutory redress, advice and advocacy to protect households. We aim to develop the regulatory framework further, and recently concluded a consultation on mandating minimum technical standards.

[Tracy Gilbert]

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. May I also place on the record my thanks to him for coming to meet my constituents from Saltire Street and Saltire Square, and for listening to what they said about the long-running issues that they have been facing with their district heating networks?

I welcome the regulation that this Government have brought forward. Can my hon. Friend confirm that data on pricing will now need to be reported quarterly to Ofgem, and that this will help increase transparency for my constituents and others?