Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 waiting times in distribution connections reform.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Distribution-level projects can face significant connection delays, particularly if they could impact on the transmission network. The reformed transmission connections process, currently being implemented, should accelerate connections for many viable distribution-level projects. Furthermore, Ofgem has recently raised the threshold for distribution projects in England and Wales requiring a Transmission Impact Assessment from 1MW to 5MW, which should accelerate connections for connections below the new threshold.[1] More widely, Ofgem is reviewing the connections regulatory incentives and obligations applied to National Energy System Operator and network companies. This aims to reduce connection times where possible and improve customer service.[2]
The equivalent thresholds for Scotland are under ongoing review by the Scottish network companies.
[2] Connections end-to-end review of the regulatory framework | Ofgem
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 adequacy of consumer protections under the ECO 4 scheme.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
ECO4 insulation measures must be installed by TrustMark registered businesses, who are required to adhere to relevant industry standards. Installations of low carbon measures must be carried out in accordance with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) requirements.
Improvements to consumer protection are underway and we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 to audit spending under the ECO 4 scheme.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Ofgem is the scheme administrator and audits progress on the ECO4 scheme. It publishes regular updates on its website https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco/contacts-guidance-and-resources/eco-public-reports-and-data.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39218 on Infrastructure, whether his Department plans to implement recommendation 27 of the report by the National Infrastructure Commission entitled Second National Infrastructure Assessment, published on 1 October 2023.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is the lead department for recommendation 27. The Government will draw on the National Infrastructure Commission’s analysis for the forthcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, which HMT is due to publish in June. My officials are working with DSIT, Ofcom, and Ofgem to support the identification of the future telecommunications requirements of the energy sector.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 Written Statement of 22 February 2024 on UK withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty, HCWS279, what her planned timetable is for withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The UK has initiated the process to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and will provide notification to the ECT depository in Portugal as soon as possible.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found within their Department's estate.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Departments have been asked to report on the current picture of suspected and confirmed RAAC in their estates as soon as possible. This will be updated on a regular basis as new buildings are identified and surveying and remediation are carried out.
Government published lists of education settings confirmed as having RAAC on Wednesday 6 September and committed to providing further updates.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member was not agreed to by (a) a Minister and (b) their office on behalf of a Minister in the last 12 months.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Details of meeting requests are not held centrally by the Department.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason Alternative Fuel Payments are not made to building society accounts.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The system for bank account payments in the UK is more standardised than for building society payments. Therefore, to reduce the burden on local authorities, the Government has taken the decision to only allow bank account payments for the Alternative Fuel Payment.
Basic bank accounts are free to open, and do not have the same credit check requirements as a standard current account. Applicants can open a basic bank account in branch, or sometimes online or over the phone, depending on the bank.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether an appeal process is in place for people whose applications for the Alternative Fuel Payment are refused.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Applicants should contact the contact centre helpline on 0808 175 3943 if the appeal relates to their initial application. If the appeal relates to evidence provided as part of the application, applicants should contact their Local Authority. Appeals may be escalated to the Department in some circumstances where further checks are required.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reasons the manufacture of spirits was not included in the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government has taken a consistent approach to identifying the most energy and trade intensive sectors, with all sectors that meet agreed thresholds for energy and trade intensity eligible for ETII support. These thresholds have been set at sectors falling above the 80th percentile for energy intensity and 60th percentile for trade intensity, plus any sectors eligible for the existing energy compensation and exemption schemes. These thresholds were set to balance the UK's goals of delivering targeted support at lower overall cost, while capturing a broad enough share of affected companies.