theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Alison Hume:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the potential environmental impact of Europa's proposed proppant squeeze project at the Burniston Mill site in North Yorkshire. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not have a role in assessing the potential environmental impacts or carbon emissions of a proposed onshore oil and gas project. The relevant Mineral Planning Authority considers such impacts as part of providing planning permission and can request an Environmental Impact Assessment to be completed. Relevant planning permissions and permits, including from the Environment Agency, are required before any operations can take place.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the (a) onshore and (b) offshore workforce in the North Sea oil and gas sector in (i) July 2024 and (ii) March 2025. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not hold its own estimates for the offshore or onshore North Sea oil and gas sector workforce. According to ONS data[1], direct jobs in oil and gas extraction fell by around a third between 2014 and 2023, despite ongoing domestic licensing and production.

As Britain becomes a clean energy superpower, the Government is determined to create new high-quality jobs to ensure a phased and responsible transition in the North Sea.

This is vital for delivering the best outcomes for workers and communities, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.

[1] ONS Business Register and Employment Survey

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/industry235digitsicbusinessregisterandemploymentsurveybrestable2(opens in a new tab)
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to taking to secure (a) domestic and (b) international investment in the nuclear industry. \p Michael Shanks: This Government is committed to attracting the investment required to deliver future nuclear projects. The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model for nuclear has been established as an option for funding nuclear projects, aiming to reduce financing costs and attract long-term investment from private capital providers, with the Sizewell C project designated to utilise the model. Additionally, my Department works closely with the Office for Investment and other parts of Government to promote investment opportunities in the UK nuclear sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Energy Networks Association’s report entitled Our common sense plan for planning, published in December 2023, if he will make it his policy to (a) amend permitted development rights for the upgrading of the electricity distribution network infrastructure and (b) implement the nine point plan. \p Michael Shanks: The Government will consult this year on an ambitious package of reforms to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure based on responses to a 2022 Call for Evidence and proposals put forward by the Energy Network Association in their nine-point plan. The consultation will include proposals to expand planning consent exemptions to include low-voltage connections and upgrades in England and Wales. Any changes made to these processes will be developed with full consideration of the rights of landowners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May to Question 53448 on Carbon Capture and Storage, (a) how the levy will be structured and (b) who will be responsible for paying it. \p Sarah Jones: There is a mixture of funding routes to support carbon capture and storage projects in the UK, including levies placed on energy suppliers and gas shippers.

There are two levies relevant to the CCUS programme. Firstly, the Electricity Supplier Obligation, which is placed on licensed electricity suppliers who may then pass this cost on to their consumers. This levy supports renewable and low carbon electricity production. The second is the Gas Shipper Obligation, which is intended to be an obligation placed on gas shippers to fund certain hydrogen production projects. The Government has recently consulted on the design of the Gas Shipper Obligation and design considerations are ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to review the current accreditation process for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: While the Government works closely with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the Secretary of State does not formally review its accreditation process, given MCS’ independent status. MCS is introducing a wide-ranging reforms programme, and the Government is closely monitoring the introduction of these reforms. The reforms are designed to improve consumer protection, and reduce unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy for installers, including around the installer accreditation process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential long-term fire risk associated with lithium-ion battery energy storage systems. \p Michael Shanks: The Government considers that the safety risks posed by BESS are small and well managed under the robust regulatory framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This framework requires responsible parties to take measures to ensure health and safety throughout all stages of a battery system’s deployment.

The safety standards framework for BESS is kept under review to respond to changing circumstances. Government, working alongside the industry-led Electricity Storage Health and Safety Governance Group, will continue to monitor events in the sector to ensure that a robust framework is sustained.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to publish a national register of safety (a) incidents and (b) near-misses involving battery energy storage systems. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not plan to publish a national register of safety incidents and near-misses involving battery energy storage systems (BESS). However, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has developed a publicly available database of global BESS failure incidents. The EPRI database can be accessed here: https://storagewiki.epri.com/index.php/BESS_Failure_Incident_Database
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help enable the scale-up of large-scale green hydrogen projects to commercial operation. \p Sarah Jones: The Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option.

In the Autumn Budget, we confirmed support for 11 green hydrogen projects from the first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), which comprised £90 million in capital grant support through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and c. £2.3bn revenue support through the HBPM once projects are operational and over a 15 year period.

Following this, on 7 April 2025 the Government announced a shortlist of 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales that have been invited to the next stage of the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2).
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing the production of green hydrogen for use in the (a) energy, (b) industry, (c) transport and (d) innovation sectors. \p Sarah Jones: Our strategic approach to hydrogen production and use is grounded in robust, cross-government analysis to ensure hydrogen fulfils its role in the UK’s Clean Energy Superpower and Growth Missions. We continue to work closely across departments to align efforts and reflect the latest evidence. Including through the development of a refreshed Hydrogen Strategy, set to be published later this year.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking through (a) regulatory reform and (b) market incentives to encourage the growth of green hydrogen production capacity. \p Sarah Jones: We continue to work closely with industry, regulatory bodies and devolved administrations to ensure that appropriate regulatory frameworks are in place for low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure, including through the Hydrogen Delivery Council’s Regulators Forum and the Transport and Storage Working Group. We are taking a proactive approach to identify and address existing and emerging regulatory challenges for the hydrogen economy.

For example, we will consult this summer on a proposed economic regulatory framework for 100% hydrogen pipelines.

The Hydrogen Production Business Model incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps with (a) industry and (b) investors to help de-risk investment in green hydrogen (i) infrastructure and (ii) projects. \p Sarah Jones: Hydrogen transport and storage (T&S) infrastructure will be critical to the development of the hydrogen economy and to meeting government’s net zero and climate budget goals.

To facilitate the development of this critical infrastructure, we are committed to designing new business models for hydrogen transport and storage by the end of 2025.

The Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option. HPBM support is being allocated through the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs) and the Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Cluster Sequencing programme.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of vulnerable people receiving an (a) inadequate service and (b) inappropriate installation under the ECO4 scheme; and what steps his Department is taking to support vulnerable people to help resolve complaints against participating companies. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme includes consumer protections for vulnerable households, requiring industry standards and warranties for installed measures. Energy efficiency and low carbon installations under ECO4 must be undertaken by TrustMark registered businesses and TrustMark have a route to redress for any issues arising from poor quality installs. Installations of low carbon measures must comply with Microgeneration Certification Scheme standards.

The government recognises that the system of quality assurance and consumer redress that we inherited needs reform and we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
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Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on switching consumers from Radio Teleswitch Service to smart meters. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), and the activity to replace it, is industry owned and led. Government and Ofgem have been working closely with the RTS Taskforce in recent months to urgently increase the rate of replacements.

I am meeting with Energy UK and Ofgem on a fortnightly basis to ensure the phase out process is planned effectively and consumers are appropriately protected.
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Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the number of households that needed to switch from Radio Teleswitch Service meters to smart meters in Glasgow West constituency on 30 May 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The latest data on the number of remaining RTS meters is held by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). However, Ofgem does not collect constituency level data on RTS meters from suppliers.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) energy companies and (b) energy company contractors in Scotland replace household meters before the phase out of the Radio Teleswitch Service. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is working closely with the RTS Taskforce, industry and Ofgem to ensure the phase out process of RTS is planned effectively and consumers are appropriately protected.

The Government has made clear to industry that energy suppliers must fulfil their obligations to customers and must increase the rate of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter replacements. We expect suppliers to be taking measures, such as deploying roaming teams of installers, to ensure consumers receive replacement meters in a timely manner.

I am meeting with Energy UK and Ofgem on a fortnightly basis to discuss progress.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the merits of applying the same ethical sourcing requirements that apply to Great British Energy to private sector solar developers operating in the UK. \p Michael Shanks: This Government is clear that no company in the UK, whether public or private, should have forced labour in its supply chain.

Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses take action against modern slavery, and DESNZ is working across Whitehall on this important issue to see where we can go further. The Government is also considering how to strengthen Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including possible penalties for non-compliance. The actions needed to secure supply chains that are sustainable, resilient and diverse will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, due for publication shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) the Sunnica scheme and (b) other solar energy projects do not use components linked to (i) forced and (ii) slave labour in their supply chains. \p Michael Shanks: The Government does not comment on the details of specific projects. We are, however, clear that no UK company, whether public or private, should have forced labour in its supply chain. Legislation and guidance are in place to help developers take action, and we are exploring how we might go further, for example through strengthening Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including possible penalties for non-compliance.

Further details on the Government’s approach to securing solar supply chains that are free from forced labour will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, due to be published shortly.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to verify the ethical integrity of supply chains in solar energy developments. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is clear that no company should have forced labour in its supply chain and we are committed to ensuring that solar developers engage in ethical procurement. Legislation and guidance are in place to help developers take action, and we are exploring how we might go further, for example through strengthening Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including possible penalties for non-compliance.

The Procurement Act 2023 will enable public sector contracting authorities to reject bids and terminate contracts with suppliers known to use forced labour anywhere in their supply chain. Further details on the Government’s approach will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, due to be published shortly.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May to Question to 53448 on Carbon Capture and Storage, how the the funding models will be evaluated to ensure value for money. \p Sarah Jones: Detailed and robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plans have been developed for the various CCUS funding models. The M&E plans map out the evaluation activities, methodology, data sources and resource needed for the various types of evaluations, including value-for-money (VfM) assessments. The VfM assessments across the CCUS programme will assess the extent to which public funds were used in the most cost-effective way possible to deliver results. Robust VfM evaluation methodologies that are relevant and suitable for the CCUS programme will be used, including Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and the National Audit Office 4Es VfM approach, to allow a rigorous and systematic analysis of the costs and benefits. These methods will demonstrate VfM by evaluating whether the CCUS programme is cost-effective, impactful, and equitable.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May to Question 53448 on Carbon Capture and Storage, what steps his Department is taking to safeguard against over-subsidisation of specific (a) projects and (b) technologies. \p Sarah Jones: The CCUS Cluster Sequencing Process, which is the selection of the initial carbon dioxide transport & storage networks and projects, and the CCUS business models, under which individual awards for projects are made, have been developed to align with the UK subsidy control regime as per the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and are subject to mandatory referral to the Subsidy Advice Unit, part of the Competition Markets Authority. These business models support the development of transport and storage CO2 networks, as well as the deployment of CCUS in the power, industrial and hydrogen sectors.
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Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help protect consumers whose radio teleswitch service meters are not switched to smart meters by 30 June 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has made clear to industry that suppliers must fulfil their obligations to customers and must drive up the rate of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter replacements.

As part of the RTS Taskforce we are doing all that we can to protect consumers from any negative impacts, and make sure that the carefully managed phase out process of RTS, which starts from 30 June, is as smooth as possible for consumers.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide support to retrofit car parks with solar panels. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for retrofitting solar canopies on existing car parks. No policy has been determined yet, but Government will use the evidence gathered to shape policy development in this space, including potential opportunities for increasing retrofit installation.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide funding to local authorities to install solar panels in car parks. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks. The role of local authorities in any potential policy, including any potential funding mechanisms, has not been determined. The call for evidence aims to understand the potential costs and roles for carpark owners and stakeholders, including local authorities.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of making solar car parks mandatory for car parks on conservation areas. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, through a call for evidence which closes on June 18th. This includes evidence about exemptions to the proposal. Thorough assessments on how to take the policy forward, including the impact on conservation areas, will be made once the call for evidence has closed, and suitable evidence has been gathered and analysed.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to incentivise the use of (a) hydrated vegetable oil and (b) other biofuels in compatible boilers by (i) encouraging the availability of biofuels and (ii) (A) reducing and (B) removing taxes on biofuels; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on the (1) cost and (2) use of biofuels as a renewable alternative for heating buildings. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government expects most properties will ultimately switch to heat pumps as these are a proven technology and have been installed in high numbers in other countries.

However, the Government is committed to ensuring that there is the right solution for every household. We have therefore commissioned research to collect data on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes, including the use of renewable liquid fuels, and we expect to receive results from that research in 2025.

Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil, in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstocks.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing for rural households to transition to low-carbon heating systems. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As part of our Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency measures, including those in rural communities.

This includes supporting property owners in England and Wales through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, offering grants up to £7,500 for heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers. This also includes £1.8 billion to support low-income households through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.

Additional support is also provided through the Energy Company Obligation which offers insulation and low-carbon heating to GB households.
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Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how MEES (minimum energy efficiency standards) took into account properties which are not occupied for less than half of the period between 1 October 2024 and 30 April 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As of April 2020, privately rented homes in England and Wales are required to meet the minimum standard of Energy Performance Certificate E before they can be let, unless a valid exemption applies. The regulations are applicable if a property is let on an assured tenancy, regulated tenancy, or domestic agricultural tenancy, and legally required to have an EPC. There is more information and guidance on the requirement to have an EPC available on gov.uk.

For non-domestic rented buildings, minimum energy efficiency standards only apply where the property is leased on a term certain of 6 months to 99 years.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the link between the installation of solar panels on new build homes and the cost of energy for those residents. \p Michael Shanks: Solar panels benefit households by reducing electricity bills significantly and providing payment for excess electricity generated through the Smart Export Guarantee.

Future standards this year will set our newbuild homes on a path that moves away from relying on fossil fuels and ensures readiness for a net zero future. We will encourage the installation of solar panels on these developments, where appropriate.

We received a lot of feedback on the Future Homes Standard consultation proposals relating to solar and are mindful of the opportunity it represents. We are committed to ensuring that the standards we set are ambitious and technically achievable. We are working to get the technical detail right and will provide an update soon.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the revised national policy statements for energy infrastructure on energy infrastructure development in Buckinghamshire. \p Michael Shanks: Energy National Policy Statements are not spatial and therefore do not include reference to specific geographical impacts. National Policy Statements provide the framework for decision-making on development consent orders and include clear guidance for developers on stringent requirements to assess and address project-level impacts within their applications. Strategic environmental assessments (Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment) of the draft National Policy Statements have been published on gov.uk for public consultation, alongside the revised draft National Policy Statements.
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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to maintain (a) optionality and (b) competition in the Clean Power Plan. \p Michael Shanks: Table 1 of the Clean Power Action Plan sets out a range of potential installed capacity levels for different technologies in 2030. This reflects the Government’s commitment to maintaining optionality by supporting a diverse mix of technologies capable of delivering a clean power system.

The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s main mechanism for supporting new low-carbon electricity generation projects in Great Britain. CfDs are awarded through regular, competitive auctions, with the lowest-priced bids successful.

We have recently consulted on reforms to increase competition in the CfD scheme. We will publish a full government response to this consultation before Allocation Round 7 opens in the Summer.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions has he had with energy suppliers on the timeline for the distribution of compensation to customers who were forced to have prepayment meters installed. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We have campaigned tirelessly on this issue since this scandal came to light, and I am pleased to see justice is finally being delivered to many of the affected families. The Secretary of State urged Ofgem to accelerate work to deliver payments earlier this year, and on Wednesday 28 May Ofgem announced £18.6m of compensation for households affected by the involuntary installation of pre-payment meters (PPMs). Suppliers will pay £5.6million in compensation – using the guidelines set out by Ofgem – to 40,000 consumers that had an involuntary PPM installed during the assessment period. Suppliers will also write off a further £13million of debt from customers who had an involuntary PPM during the assessment period. I am pleased to see the level of compensation increase significantly from £420,000 in June 2024.

Ofgem has been working with suppliers to make sure suppliers are paying compensation in a fair and consistent way. Ofgem has also been negotiating with suppliers on offers of debt write-off, to make sure involuntary PPM customers directly benefit from this work. It is paramount that compensation payments are issued as quickly as possible, and we will continue to work with Ofgem and suppliers to ensure affected consumers are compensated in a timely manner.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent steps she has taken to financially support the installation of solar panel installation on homes. \p Michael Shanks: Deploying rooftop solar remains a key priority for the Government and the forthcoming Solar Roadmap will set out actions for how we and industry will work together to achieve our ambition.

As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1bn of this allocated to next year (2025 – 26). Additional funding will be considered in Phase 2 of the Spending Review as the Warm Homes Plan is further developed.

Additionally, the Smart Export Guarantee continues to ensure that homes with solar panels installed receive payment for the excess renewable electricity they export to the grid.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that nuclear energy contributes to the resilience of the UK’s energy supply. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan makes clear that nuclear will play an important role in our future energy system, providing low-carbon, baseload power to the grid. Sizewell C continues to make good progress, while Great British Nuclear is driving forward its Small Modular Reactor competition, with final decisions to be taken shortly. The Nuclear Regulatory Task Force set up by the Prime Minister is working to identify reforms to better enable speedier, safe deployment of nuclear technology.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Tebworth solar farm on (a) access to countryside for local communities, (b) nature recovery and (c) the protection of wildlife. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate for DESNZ Ministers to comment on matters related to any specific projects.

However, all solar projects are subject to a rigorous planning process, in which the views and interests of local communities are considered. This includes any impact on rights of way, biodiversity, and the natural environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to introduce new safety protocols for solar battery storage sites. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has committed to consult in June 2025 on including battery storage sites within scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

We are continuing to work closely with the industry-led Electricity Storage Health and Safety Governance Group, to ensure that a robust health and safety framework for batteries is sustained.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what funding his Department (a) has provided and (b) intends to provide, including through energy company obligations, to help reduce domestic energy bills between the 2020-21 and 2030-31 financial years, broken down by (i) cash handouts, (ii) installation of (A) new gas boilers, (B) heat pumps, (C) other heating systems, (D) solar panels, (E) domestic and heat batteries (including heat batteries), (iii) replacement (1) windows, (2) doors and (3) insulation and (iv) other support. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1 billion of this allocated to 2025/2026. The current iteration of the scheme, ECO4, runs from 2022 - 2026 with an increased value of £4 billion to accelerate our efforts to improve homes to meet fuel poverty targets.

Government does not specify which types of measures should be installed in any particular property, only that the installations should be carried out by TrustMark registered installers in accordance with the relevant standards and consumer protection requirements.

Deployment of measures under Government schemes are published monthly on Gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-home-grant-statistics, www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-energy-efficiency-national-statistics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when her Department will publish the response to the consultation entitled Non-domestic private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standards: EPC B implementation, published on 17 March 2021; and whether the response will include proposals for new targets to be introduced by 2030. \p Sarah Jones: We are currently reviewing the policy design, including the timelines for introduction, to ensure that it remains fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. We plan to publish a response to the consultation as early as possible this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the CO2 released annually by Drax Power Station on the ability of the UK to meet the emissions reduction targets included in the Climate Change Committee's Carbon Budgets. \p Michael Shanks: CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass at Drax Power Station are not included in the assessment of emissions in Carbon Budgets. This is consistent with international guidelines established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which require CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass to be accounted for in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector of the country in which the biomass was harvested, rather than at the point of release to the atmosphere.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason his Department has not conducted an impact assessment of its proposed extension of the Drax Power Station subsidy arrangements. \p Michael Shanks: We are conducting a rigorous economic assessment of the proposed support for Drax, including detailed value for money analysis.

Our current analysis shows that the new arrangement will halve the level of consumer subsidy compared to existing arrangements. This is equivalent to a saving of nearly £6 per household in average annual bills. When compared to the cost of securing alternative dispatchable capacity for this timeframe, the arrangement with Drax will save consumers £170m a year.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46934 on Energy: Prices, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the transition to clean energy on levels of (a) grid reliability and (b) energy supply (i) at all times and (ii) during periods of peak demand. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Great Britain has a secure and diverse energy system. As published in the Statutory Security of Supply Report 2024, Great Britain is expected to have sufficient supplies of electricity and gas to meet demand in the short and long term, including during peak demand. The government’s mission is to secure our energy supply with home-grown, clean power and we have set out the steps to achieve this in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan – which explains how we will boost energy security, grid reliability and protect consumers.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that the transition to clean power does not increase levels of (a) energy poverty and (b) regional inequalities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

Alongside the Warm Homes Plan we are developing an updated fuel poverty strategy for England, which aims to accelerate progress to alleviate fuel poverty across all regions this decade. This recognises that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the £150 Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. In February, we published a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount which would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme, pushing the total number of eligible households up to 6 million.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 20 April 2025 to Question 46934 on Energy: Prices, what his Department's timetable is for publishing its response to the consultation entitled Expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme, 2025 to 2026, published on 25 February 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government will publish its response to the consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to (a) automatically enroll eligible households on and (b) inform eligible households about the Warm Home Discount Scheme. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Home Discount Scheme uses data matching between the Government and energy suppliers to provide rebates automatically to the majority of eligible households (around 95%). These households will receive a letter informing them of their eligibility automatically with no further action required.

Where it is not clear from the data-matching process if a household is eligible for a rebate, for instance where we have not been able to match them with a participating energy supplier or certain Government-held data on property characteristics is missing, they are sent a letter explaining that they may contact a helpline to check their eligibility.

For more information on the Warm Home Discount and eligibility for the scheme, please visit GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps Great British Energy plans to take to support projects in Lancashire. \p Michael Shanks: On 21 March 2025, the government announced £180 million of funding for rooftop solar panels for schools and hospitals delivered through Great British Energy (GBE). Five NHS trusts within Lancashire will be fitted with solar panels under this scheme. Successful schools will be announced in due course.

GBE will strategically develop, invest in, and own clean energy projects across the UK. It will also create thousands of good jobs and build supply chains in every region of the UK through the projects that it supports.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many homes had been upgraded under the Warm Homes Plan in Fylde constituency by 30 May 2025; and what targets his Department has for upgrading homes in Fylde constituency in the next two years. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion as part of the 2024 Spending Review over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1.8 billion of grant funding allocated to the Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to 170,000 homes by 2028.

We will partner with combined authorities, local authorities, and social housing providers to roll out this plan, delivering warmer, more energy efficient homes in communities across England.

Successful applicants and grants allocated to the Warm Homes: Local Grant, and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund are listed on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households were in receipt of the Warm Home Discount in Fylde constituency on 30 May 2025; and what estimate his Department has made of the number of households in Fylde constituency that would be eligible for the Warm Home Discount under its proposals. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The latest published Warm Home Discount statistics are for 2023-24 and use the constituency boundaries operating prior to the 2024 General Election. Most (85%) of the residential premises in the current Fylde constituency come from the Fylde constituency under the previous boundaries, in which 3,919 households received the Warm Home Discount rebate in 2023-24. The Warm Home Discount statistics for 2024-25 will be published on 26th June 2025. The statistics only cover receipt of the Warm Home Discount and estimates of eligibility are not available.