theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1202
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1202

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress she has made in delivering the EURO 2028 programme on (a) time and (b) budget. \p Stephanie Peacock: The government continues to work with our football and government partners across the UK and Ireland, and with UEFA, to deliver a spectacular tournament with far-reaching social and economic benefits.

As part of the government’s Plan for Change, we are investing more than £500 million in the upcoming Spending Review period to support the delivery of world class sporting events being held in the UK over the coming years, including UEFA EURO 2028.

Regular financial updates on the budget will be provided in the lead up to the event, including via the DCMS Annual Report and Accounts.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1203
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1203

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor, (b) deter and (c) eliminate fraud among retrofit businesses carrying out works under the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme. \p Martin McCluskey: Measuring fraud and non-compliance is critical to managing the risks they pose. We are taking on board the ten lessons identified by the NAO and embedding these into our future consumer protection system. We will ensure fraud measurement is part of our future quality assurance regime.

For existing schemes, we currently work with Ofgem, TrustMark and energy suppliers to detect, prevent and deter fraud. When Ofgem is notified of suspected fraud, they will engage with suppliers to ensure robust investigation. Ofgem also engages with Action Fraud and the Serious Fraud Office.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1204
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1204

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the costs to his Department of climate-related extreme weather since 1 January 2020. \p Katie White: The third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment published in 2021 included an analysis of the current and future costs of climate change to the UK and highlighted the climate-change related risks to our energy infrastructure.

Government works closely with the energy industry to put plans in place to mitigate, and respond to all crises, including incidents resulting from climate-related extreme weather. The costs of responding to the network impacts of severe weather events are primarily managed by network operators.

We are taking steps to future-proof the energy system including funding research to understand emerging climate risks to energy assets and infrastructure, and how best to enhance system resilience.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1205
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1205

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing to households to access home insulation schemes in Eastleigh constituency. \p Martin McCluskey: The government is supporting the delivery of installation of fabric insulation across the country, including those households in Eastleigh, through schemes including the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH: LG)

The government also recognises the need to provide trusted and impartial information to consumers when making choices about how to retrofit their homes. The government's home retrofit tool on GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency), provides tailored recommendations for home improvements. A phoneline service is available on xx-xxxx-xxxx.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1206
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1206

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department's initial projections of the annual financial and emissions savings to be made through the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme will be achieved. \p Martin McCluskey: Scheme impact assessments included annual bill savings targets of £224.3m for ECO4 and £55.99m for GBIS.

Evaluations of ECO4 and GBIS are underway, including household surveys about energy consumption and bills savings. Evaluation reports will be published in 2026 (ECO4) and 2027 (GBIS). Following completion of ECO4 and GBIS, analysis will be carried out using gas and electricity meter data to assess energy and carbon savings. The official statistics provide ongoing estimates of annual bill savings.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1207
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1207

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) consumer protection and (b) quality assurance frameworks for the Energy Company Obligation. \p Martin McCluskey: Government is committed to creating a simpler, stronger system of standards and oversight, with reforms to ensure work is done right first time, create a clear and straightforward installation process, and enable swift redress.

The Government’s Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel will continue to support us to develop these proposals. Further detail will be provided in the Warm Homes Plan.

In the short-term, Government is offering comprehensive on-site audits to every household with external wall insulation installed under ECO and GBIS, at no cost to the consumer.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1208
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1208

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the total cost of remediation for homes that received substandard external and internal wall insulation through the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme. \p Martin McCluskey: No household should be asked to pay for remediation work. Where non-compliance is found and remediation is needed, the original installer is responsible for the cost of putting the work right. Should the installer have ceased trading, the protections under the 25-year guarantee can be invoked.

The vast majority of remediation for solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 or GBIS has cost between £250 and £6,000 for internal wall insulation and £5,000 and £18,000 for external wall insulation. This would all be covered by the £20,000 guarantee required by TrustMark, should the installer no longer be trading.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1209
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1209

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing repairs work is integrated into the upgrades that are required as part of the Warm Homes Plan. \p Martin McCluskey: Consumers considering home retrofit work are encouraged to engage with installers who take a ‘whole house’ approach considering the needs of the individual property, including where repairs may need to be made.

The Government’s Warm Homes Plan will outline the policy proposals it will bring forward to improve up to 5 million homes. We will publish more details soon.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1210
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1210

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to homeowners of removing spray foam insulation. \p Martin McCluskey: The Department has not made an estimate however continues to engage with the spray foam industry, lenders and consumer bodies to resolve the issues some homeowners are facing.

It is important homeowners get proper independent advice, such as that available online from RICS, before making any decisions on removal.

Poor-quality installations are the result of years of a failed system, and this government is committed to introducing new reforms to drive up quality and protect consumers through the Warm Homes Plan.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1211

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Hydrogen strategy update to the market: December 2024, published on 17 December 2024, when he plans to publish the report on Water Demand for Hydrogen Production. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ has published the Water Demand for Hydrogen Production report, which shows the variation in water demand for hydrogen production based on the production technology, water source and cooling system used.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1212

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what engagement his Department has had with (a) Ofgem and (b) the Data Communications Company to ensure that households unable to connect to the smart meter network are not excluded from competitive tariffs or financially disadvantaged. \p Martin McCluskey: The Department regularly engages with Ofgem and the Data Communications Company on the smart metering programme. The DCC is obligated to provide WAN coverage to 99.25% of premises across GB and required by licence conditions to seek to provide coverage to all premises where it is practicable and cost proportionate, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage. DCC has introduced 4G smart metering communications across GB and is working on a new solution to enable consumer broadband connections (with consumer consent) to carry smart metering communications in this context.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1213

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the role Great British Energy will be in energy (a) planning and (b) consenting when acting as a co-developer. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy (GBE) will invest in, own, and develop clean energy projects throughout all stages of their life cycle, from early development through to successful operation. This will include leading on developing projects itself, as well as being an engaged and proactive co-developer with the private sector, public landowners, devolved and local government, community energy groups, and wider public finance institutions and bodies.

Projects that GBE develops will be taken forward through the planning and consenting system in the same way as any other commercial project.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1214

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the insurance industry on ensuring that domestic air-to-water heat pumps installed under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and other government-supported programmes are covered under standard home insurance policies; and what steps he is taking to protect homeowners from being left without cover for these systems. \p Martin McCluskey: Heat pumps installed under UK government schemes must be fitted by installers certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the leading standards organisation for microgeneration technologies. MCS is undergoing major reforms, due to be introduced later this year, including a proposed requirement for a 6-year guarantee on new heat pump installations.

Government regularly engages with the heat pump industry and the Association of British Insurers to ensure no specific exclusions or impacts arise from installations. As with any retrofit work, property owners are advised to consult their home insurance provider to understand their policy and whether additional cover is needed for heating systems.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1215

Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to expand support available through the Warm Homes Grant. \p Martin McCluskey: We are working across government on a comprehensive Warm Homes Plan for households to cut energy bills for good. We are investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan up to 2030, in line with the Manifesto commitment. We will publish more details on allocations to individual schemes soon.

The Warm Homes Plan will include targeted support for the most vulnerable to help slash fuel poverty. The government is already supporting the installation of energy efficiency measures through schemes including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH: LG).
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1216

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds information on the solar capacity produced by domestic solar installations in Tooting. \p Michael Shanks: Our latest figures show that Tooting has a domestic solar PV capacity of 2MW across 542 installations.

Monthly statistics on the deployment of solar photovoltaics are published by capacity, parliamentary constituency, and accreditation in the United Kingdom on the data.gov.uk website.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1217

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to tackle fuel poverty in rural areas. \p Martin McCluskey: Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for this Government. We are committed to publishing a new Fuel Poverty strategy for England, which will ensure that many more fuel poor households achieve affordable warmth by 2030, alongside the Warm Homes Plan.

We are currently supporting rural and off gas grid homes through schemes including the Homes: Local Grant, which is aimed at low income and vulnerable consumers.

Support is also available through the Warm Home Discount which has been expanded for this winter, – increasing the total number of households that will receive the discount from 3.2 million to around 6 million.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1218

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's policy on hydrogen on the (a) demand and (b) supply of water. \p Michael Shanks: We require projects to have robust plans in place for sustainable water sourcing, including gaining abstraction licenses from the EA in England and SEPA in Scotland where required, and assess these when support is sought under Hydrogen Allocation Rounds. The Government’s forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy will build on previous work to elaborate on how water supply constraints are being considered in planning for the hydrogen economy.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1219

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the United States' Department of Energy's press release entitled Energy Department returns $13 billion in unobligated wasteful spending to American taxpayers, published on 24 September 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of that announcement on international investment confidence in UK renewable energy developments. \p Michael Shanks: Government remains confident in the UK’s ability to attract international investment in the clean energy mission. We will achieve this by driving investment certainty, delivering targeted catalytic public investment, and breaking down barriers to investment.

Since July 2024, over £50 billion of private investment has been announced into the UK’s clean energy industries.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1220

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of current North Sea (a) oil and (b) gas fields that cease production by 2030. \p Michael Shanks: The North Sea Transition Authority publishes this data at UKCS Decommissioning Cost and Performance Update 2025
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1221

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the average annual energy consumption of outdoor digital advertising screens installed in public spaces; and whether his Department has considered the potential merits of introducing (a) minimum energy efficiency standards and (b) restrictions on operational hours for such installations. \p Martin McCluskey: Ecodesign regulations for electronic displays, including outdoor screens, came into force on 1 March 2021. These set minimum energy performance standards aimed at improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The Department has not estimated the average annual energy consumption of such installations. As the effects of the regulations are only now being realised, the government will keep their impacts under review. This could include assessing the merits of introducing further energy efficiency requirements or restrictions on operational hours, in line with broader efforts to reduce energy demand and support net zero objectives.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1222

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of long-term storage costs of nuclear waste; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs. \p Michael Shanks: Nuclear power is central to our ambitions for clean energy and to meet our net zero commitments. It is therefore important that we have in place effective plans to manage the associated wastes that arise from nuclear operations. Approximately 94% of nuclear waste by volume is low in radioactivity and will be disposed of safely in existing facilities. For the remaining more hazardous radioactive waste, the UK Government’s policy is to implement geological disposal. A geological disposal facility is expected to be available for intermediate level waste in c.2050-2060 and c.2075 for high level waste and Spent Fuel. We require interim storage to manage this waste until disposal facilities are available - these interim stores vary depending on the nature of waste they are designed for.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1223
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1223

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of fuel poverty in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency. \p Martin McCluskey: The latest sub-regional fuel poverty statistics, published in April 2025, provide data for 2023. In the Ely and East Cambridge constituency, it is estimated that 4,487 households were in fuel poverty in 2023, equating to 9.6% of all households in the area.

As these sub-regional fuel poverty statistics are modelled estimates, we advise against making comparisons over time.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1224
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1224

Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the potential impact of changes to electricity standing charges on SMEs. \p Martin McCluskey: Standing charges predominantly recover ‘fixed’ costs that do not vary by energy use. This includes supplier’s operational costs for serving each customer and the cost of essential network maintenance and upgrades, which are necessary to keep all consumers connected, minimise constraint costs, meet the capacity needed to deliver clean power by 2030, and help bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

However, we know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges, and we are committed to ensuring that standing charges are fair to all consumers, including SMEs. As part of this, Ofgem have launched a Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR) to consider how energy system costs can be recovered from consumers, including from SMEs, in a fairer and more efficient way and DESNZ will continue to engage closely with Ofgem on the work.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1225

Mr Alistair Carmichael:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department will consider setting a £40m tidal stream ringfence in Allocation Round 7 of the Contracts for Difference mechanism. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is undertaking analysis of the technology pipeline available for Contracts for Difference Auction Round 7 against our legal obligations. We are considering the appropriate parameters for all technologies, including tidal stream. Final parameters will be published in the Budget Notice by December 2025.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1226

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of receiving approval from NESO for additional grid connection for the final phase of Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s rebuild. \p Michael Shanks: Details of the requirements for individual connections to the electricity network are held in private connection contracts between the relevant parties.

Faster grid connections are crucial to the Government's clean energy superpower and growth missions. We announced plans in the Industrial Strategy on a series of measures to accelerate connections for strategically important demand projects.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1227

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending minimum EPC rating requirements to short-term holiday lets on small accommodation providers. \p Martin McCluskey: Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation included proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030. We have sought views on whether short-term lets should be included in the scope of our changes, to help ensure a consistent standard across all private rented properties. We have engaged widely with stakeholders, including self-catering businesses, on our proposals. A government response will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1228

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the annual cost is of armed protection of (a) nuclear energy, (b) nuclear waste and (c) other nuclear sites; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs. \p Michael Shanks: Armed protection is provided by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at our most sensitive nuclear sites and by some Home Office Police forces at less sensitive sites.

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary is funded by charges to its service recipients, the site license companies. The costs charged to these for the financial year 2024/25 was:

The security of the UK’s critical national infrastructure is of paramount importance to the Government. The department works with the regulator and industry to respond to changing national security threats.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1229
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1229

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department his made of the potential impact of extending EPC C minimum energy efficiency requirements to self-catering holiday lets on the financial viability of small businesses. \p Martin McCluskey: Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation sought views on whether short-term lets should be included in the scope of our changes to help ensure a consistent standard across all private rented properties. We have engaged widely with stakeholders during the consultation process, including the self-catering holiday lets sector, and a government response will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1230
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1230

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of requiring self-catering holiday lets to achieve Energy Performance Certificate rating C under the proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the profitability of rural tourism businesses. \p Martin McCluskey: Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation included proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030. We have sought views on whether short-term lets should be included in the scope of our changes, to help ensure a consistent standard across all private rented properties. We have engaged widely with stakeholders, including self-catering businesses, on our proposals. A government response will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1231
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1231

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how he monitors EU implementation of Trade and Co-operation Agreement provisions on energy market access. \p Michael Shanks: The Government monitors EU implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, including provisions within the Energy Title, through the Agreement's established governance structures, in this case the Specialised Committee on Energy, the Trade Partnership Committee and the Specialised Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade as applicable.

The Partnership Council, which oversees the attainment of the objectives of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, provides strategic direction to this governance framework.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1232
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1232

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how he plans to (a) evaluate and (b) report on the linking of UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. \p Chris McDonald: The Government will provide updates on negotiations where appropriate. Once any agreement is made to link the UK and EU ETS, the Government will consider the process to evaluate and report on the link consistent with the agreement reached, as well as with other reset priorities under UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The Government aims for negotiations to link the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to begin as soon as possible.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1233
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support (a) whisky distilleries and (b) other energy intensive industries located outside the government designated clusters to decarbonise. \p Chris McDonald: The Government will set out plans to support industrial decarbonisation in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October and in its upcoming Industrial decarbonisation Strategy. This will draw on extensive engagement with industrial sectors, which has included representatives of the distilleries sector.

The £6 million Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans (LIDP) competition has funded 13 decarbonisation projects in local clusters, supporting dispersed industrial manufacturers not located in the UK’s largest existing industrial clusters to start their journey towards Net Zero.

We are delivering on our Clean Power 2030 Mission to provide the electricity to help firms get off the rollercoaster of volatile fossil fuel prices. We are investing in the infrastructure and accelerating connections to help industrial firms across the country to electrify. And we have set our intention to design the first Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model allocation rounds to establish the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031. Developing the first regional network is an important starting point and provides the foundations for future network expansion, including connections between regions or supporting demand further afield outside of clusters.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1234
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with manufacturing firms on (a) their progress in adopting and (b) the barriers to the implementation of green technologies. \p Chris McDonald: The Government is engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, through expert working groups and workshops to inform policy on Net Zero technologies in industry.

In 2023, a call for evidence on industrial electrification was held, with a summary published on 1 September 2024 outlining progress and key issues raised by industry, academia and trade bodies. This has been followed by continued stakeholder engagement.

A renewed Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy will guide efforts to build a competitive, low-carbon UK industrial base. Further details, including the role of fuel switching to electrification, will be set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1235
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support or incentivise the reuse of building materials reclaimed from previous construction within new build or retrofit projects. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government will soon publish a Circular Economy Strategy, which will include a Built Environment Roadmap setting out measures to promote reuse of building materials and reduce unnecessary demolition. This will support resource efficiency and help to reduce the overall carbon footprint of construction. In addition, the Warm Homes Plan will drive energy efficiency improvements through retrofit, helping to extend building lifespans and reducing waste. These initiatives will embed circular principles across the built environment and encourage recovery and reuse of materials from previous construction projects.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1236
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1236

Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of VAT on the number of domestic retrofits undertaken annually. \p Martin McCluskey: A 0% rate of VAT on the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in domestic properties is already in place. Additionally, installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) can benefit from reduced VAT. VAT treatment is the responsibility of the Treasury, and they keep all taxes under review. The Treasury assesses ESMs based on energy efficiency, carbon emissions, cost-effectiveness and alignment with broader VAT principles.

There are also already a number of government schemes offering financial support to consumers looking to upgrade their homes. The Warm Homes Plan will be published shortly and will provide further information on the government’s approach to decarbonising our housing stock.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1237
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the (a) funding required to fully decarbonise the public sector and (b) adaptation costs from not fully decarbonising that sector. \p Martin McCluskey: The internal estimate made by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in 2022 suggests that fully decarbonising the public sector would cost between £25–30 billion. The Department is currently updating this based on more recent cost assumptions. No estimate has been made regarding the adaptation costs that may arise from not decarbonising the public sector.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1238
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1238

Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason he plans to end grant funding for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme after 2028; and if he will provide funding to support the decarbonisation of the public sector beyond 2028. \p Martin McCluskey: The decision not to provide further funding for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was taken in the context of wider fiscal pressures and competing priorities which required difficult choices during the 2025 Spending Review.

In addition to the £1bn for public sector decarbonisation between 2025/26 and 2027/28, the Government and Great British Energy Solar programme is investing £255 million to fund around 250 schools, 260 NHS sites and 15 military sites to install solar panels.

Additional detail on the Government’s approach will be set out in the forthcoming Carbon Budgets and Growth Delivery Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1239

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturers to invest in (a) new manufacturing facilities and (b) research and development. \p Michael Shanks: The Government announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains. This includes: a £1 billion Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8 billion for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4 billion British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package.

DESNZ has allocated around £170 million from the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to hydrogen research & development, including £60 million for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31million for H2BECCS, advancing production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1240

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) jobs and (b) investment in the UK hydrogen technology manufacturing sector by 2030. \p Michael Shanks: The sector is nascent but is expected to grow significantly; the global hydrogen market could exceed $1 trillion by 2050, with the UK well positioned to capture a substantial share.

We intend to publish a revised Hydrogen Strategy which will include the latest hydrogen jobs estimates and set out plans to optimise the job creation and economic benefits delivered by the UK hydrogen economy.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain; working together with industry and unions to identify actions that support the skills and workforce needs of the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1241

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support manufacturing of the materials needed for the production of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies within the UK. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the CfD Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1242

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release entitled Great British Energy to cut bills for hospitals and schools, published on 21 March 2025, over how many financial years the partnership with Great British Energy to increase solar generation across the NHS will take place. \p Michael Shanks: The investment announced by Great British Energy and the UK government in March is for schools and hospitals for the 2025/26 financial year. Beyond 2025/26, we expect decisions on funding and investment to be made by Great British Energy as it becomes fully operational.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1243

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many of the Warm Homes: Local Grant programmes will be delivered in Huntingdon constituency. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government does not hold data on Warm Homes: Local Grant delivery at the constituency level, as funding is awarded to local authorities and local authority consortia. Huntingdonshire is a member of the Cambridge consortium, which includes Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough. This consortium was allocated £8.57 million under this scheme and can spend up to an average of £15,000 on energy performance improvement and £15,000 on low carbon heat per eligible home. How the funding is allocated within the consortia is determined by the consortia lead through individual retrofit assessments and not by the Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1244

Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of electrifying heavy goods vehicles on future demand on the energy grid. \p Michael Shanks: The zero emission HGV sector is at early stages of deployment, but the demand is expected to grow as more trucks come to market. Government is taking a range of short and long-term actions, including new national and regional strategic planning processes, to ensure electricity infrastructure meets future demand.

This includes working with Ofgem and NESO to input into these actions and raise the awareness of future transport requirements, as well as encouraging a direct dialogue with transport stakeholders to provide clarity and evidence on electricity requirements to ensure strategic planning can properly prepare for future demand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1245

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of homes in each region where installed smart meters remain non-functional due to lack of network connection. \p Martin McCluskey: The Department does not hold separate figures on the number of homes with smart meters not sending automatic readings due to lack of Wide Area Network (WAN) signal. The Data Communications Company (DCC) is obligated to provide WAN coverage to 99.25% of premises across GB, with a broadband solution (with consumer consent) soon to become available that will reach more of the premises currently without WAN signal.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1246
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1246

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of consumer protections on (a) extended and (b) repeated electricity supply interruptions. \p Michael Shanks: To help protect customers, Ofgem sets Quality-of-Service Guaranteed Standards that must be met by each DNO, these include supply restoration standards.

DNOs are directly incentivised by Ofgem to reduce customer interruptions and to invest in and maintain infrastructure to guarantee minimum standards of service.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1247
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1247

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the suitability of current Seasonal Coefficient of Performance thresholds for high temperature heat pumps. \p Martin McCluskey: The current product standards regulations do not set distinct performance thresholds for high temperature heat pumps. The ecodesign heat pump efficiency standard applies to all heat pumps other than low temperature models. However, the government consulted in December 2024 on proposals for ‘raising product standards for space heating’. These included introducing a definition and standards for high temperature heat pumps. Under the proposals, this would be defined as any heat pump operating at 65°C flow temperature. The government will publish a response to that consultation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1248

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the national grid to support projected growth in electric vehicle charging demand over the next decade. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is working closely with Ofgem to ensure that its price control framework supports the necessary investment in the electricity network to deliver our clean energy and growth missions. This includes ensuring that the distribution network has sufficient capacity to meet projected demand from electric vehicles into the future.

The current price control, RIIO-ED2 (2023–2028), enables forward-looking investment aligned with and incorporates uncertainty mechanisms to allow networks to respond flexibly to rising demand. The next price control, RIIO-ED3 (2028–2033), will be informed by Regional Energy Strategic Plans to support more strategic, anticipatory and coordinated investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1249

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with the Chief Executive of GB Energy on changes to employment levels in the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen. \p Michael Shanks: The Department continues to work quickly to set Great British Energy up for success and ensure all British people feel the benefits.

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs has already worked with industry, Scottish Government and unions to launch the ‘Energy Skills Passport’ for offshore Oil and Gas workers, putting clean energy at the heart of our modern industrial strategy.

We are committed to a just transition for industries based in the North Sea. Aberdeen will be at the heart of this transition, supported by initiatives such as the Energy Skills Passport and the Energy Transition Zone.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1250

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's policy on hydrogen on regional water availability. \p Michael Shanks: We are working with environmental regulators in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as DEFRA and National Energy System Operator (NESO) to ensure that the impact of projects on regional water bodies is carefully considered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1251

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the total cost to the public purse was for the Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation Programme. \p Michael Shanks: This initiative was part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The total government investment in the Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation Programme has been £53m.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1252

Sally Jameson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to encourage (a) innovation and (b) research and development in the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector. \p Michael Shanks: The Department has allocated around £170 million from the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to encourage hydrogen R&D, including £60m for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31m for H2BECCS, to support production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies associated with hydrogen.

The UK is engaging internationally to accelerate hydrogen research and innovation, for example, co-chairing the Clean Hydrogen Mission and participating in the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme.