Every parliamentary written question tabled by Al Pinkerton this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 34 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What assessment he has made of the resilience of the electricity distribution network in Surrey Heath constituency.
Government works closely with industry, including Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the Distribution Network Operator for Surrey Heath, to continually improve and maintain the resilience of electricity infrastructure, networks and assets. This is to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure an effective response to actual or potentially disruptive incidents.
What steps he is taking to support the green energy sector in Surrey Heath constituency.
Local power generation is an essential part of the UK’s energy generation and increasing support will ensure local communities to benefit from clean energy projects as the UK supercharges its mission to become a clean energy superpower.This is why backed by up to £1 billion, Great British Energy aims to support more than 1,000 local and community energy projects by 2030. This is not the pinnacle of our ambition but the start.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the accuracy of small businesses' energy bills in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government is overseeing the roll out of smart meters to small businesses in Surrey Heath and across GB, and our latest data shows that almost two thirds of meters in non-domestic premises are smart or advanced meters. These meters enable accurate billing by automatically recording energy use at regular intervals, allowing bills based on actual rather than estimated usage. Ofgem’s licence conditions require all suppliers to take all reasonable steps to reflect accurate meter readings in bills or statements sent to customers where these have been provided by a customer or obtained by the supplier.
What plans his Department has to help improve GP access to decarbonisation schemes in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government is committed to supporting the decarbonisation of the GP estate. Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, GP facilities can receive £7,500 for heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers. We also help fund the UK Business Climate Hub, an online resource supporting SMEs identify and implement changes to their energy use.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of opportunities for installing solar panels on commercial properties in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
No specific assessment of the adequacy of opportunities for installing solar panels on commercial properties in Surrey or Surrey Heath has been made. However, rooftop solar remains a key part of the Government’s clean power mission and is one of the most popular and easily deployed renewable energy sources. The Government supports commercial rooftop deployment through measures such as permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. These policies apply across England, including Surrey, and aim to make it easier for businesses to install solar panels where suitable roof space is available.
What discussions he has had with energy suppliers on the adequacy of support for consumers with power outages in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Ahead of winter, the Department received assurance from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), on behalf of all electricity network operators that comprehensive plans remain in place to minimise disruption and to provide support to customers in the event of power outages arising from severe weather or other faults. These arrangements apply across the country, including Surrey and Surrey Heath.
What recent assessment his Department has made of recent trends in levels of (a) petrol and (b) diesel prices in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.
Fuel price trends are monitored nationally and published in the Department’s weekly statistics on GOV.UK. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) oversee market transparency and compliance and publish quarterly and yearly reports on GOV.UK.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of negotiating an emissions trading scheme linkage with the European Union to reduce the costs of achieving net zero.
Linking the UK and EU Emission Trading Schemes (ETSs) is expected to reduce costs for UK businesses by providing a cheaper path to net zero. Access to a larger, more liquid and stable carbon market will provide UK business with greater price certainty which will support investment. Linking will also deliver a reduction in costs for UK businesses and lower barriers to trade through providing the conditions for an exemption from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
What steps he is taking to help ensure the resilience of electricity during severe weather events in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network. The Government works closely with the energy industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the resilience of energy infrastructure against risks including severe weather events, such as storms. This includes working with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the Distribution Network Operator for Surrey and Surrey Heath Constituency. Ahead of this winter period, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) have assessed industry resilience and preparedness for winter risks, including severe weather, and have provided assurance to my department that the electricity network operators are prepared for these risks.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of strengthening safety requirements for diesel generators located near residential buildings in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the regulator responsible for health and safety, including relevant safety requirements relating to electrical equipment. Government will continue to work closely with HSE to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained.
Whether his Department plans to review their guidance on electricity usage assumptions for households with higher reliance on electric heating.
The Department does not provide guidance on electricity usage assumptions for households with higher reliance on electric heating. However, the Quarterly Energy Prices bills estimates are presented for average domestic gas and electricity consumption levels including assumptions for average consumption for standard electricity and Economy 7. These are reviewed regularly and updated at least every five years. Further detail of the methodology used is available Average Annual Domestic Consumption Levels Review: methodology note. These differ from Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values which provide the annual gas and electricity usage of a ‘typical’ domestic consumer, expressed as the median consumption value.
What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of electricity costs for residents living in retirement housing in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Department closely follows electricity price trends on a regular basis. You can find the most reliable sources for these trends and further information on energy cost statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-energy-prices No such assessment exists for specific sectors such as retirement homes. The specific costs for consumers, including retirement homes, will depend on the terms of their energy contracts with their energy supplier or the arrangements that their retirement homes have made The Government is aware that energy bills are too high, particularly for vulnerable consumers, and we are wholly focused on bringing these costs down.
What steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of (a) emissions and (b) environmental impacts associated with supply chains in Surrey Heath constituency.
(a) Defra publishes statistics each year on the UK’s carbon footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chains of goods and services used by UK residents. These data are also available for England only. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint (b) In June the government consulted on a framework of policies to build the market for low-carbon industrial products, alongside the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan. The policies aim to deliver the guidance, tools, and levers to enable buyers to make informed choices through better information on the carbon content of industrial goods, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete sectors.
What assessment his Department has made of potential economic merits of linking UK and the EU Emissions Trading Schemes.
Linking is expected to bring significant economic benefits. It would create a larger, stable carbon market, support British businesses through removing trade barriers, support UK renewable rollout and lower electricity costs. Linking is expected to facilitate a mutual UK-EU CBAM exemption, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms. Linking is also expected to support new green industries in the UK and enable cross-border CO2 storage. UK Government analysis was published on 19th May 2025 and is available at Gov.uk
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring houses in multiple occupation to achieve an energy performance certificate rating of D or better.
Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector and reforming Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). The Energy Performance of Buildings consultation asked whether houses in multiple occupation should require EPCs. If a property is let on a relevant tenancy and is legally required to have an EPC then it will need to meet the private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standard, unless a valid exemption applies. Government has proposed to raise the standard from E to C or equivalent by 2030. A government response to both consultations will be published in due course.
What estimate his Department has made of the proportion of (a) external and (b) internal insulation installations completed under Government energy efficiency schemes that require remediation in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government commissioned an independent statistical audit, however this sample was designed to estimate the overall rates of non-compliance across Great Britain. The samples are not large enough to reliably perform any regional analysis. As we continue with further audits, we will seek to begin to collect this data. The statistical audit was commissioned by Ofgem in April 2025. Two random samples of audits of external (EWI) and internal wall installations (IWI), across the household populations of both schemes were commissioned to understand non‑compliance rates. 98% of EWI audits need to be remediated. For IWI, that number is 29%.
What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Government energy efficiency schemes in reducing fuel poverty in Surrey Heath constituency.
The fuel poverty rate in Surrey Heath constituency in 2023 was estimated to be 7.1% of households. 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 our Warm Homes Plan. In March we allocated around £1.8 billion to local authorities and social housing providers through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund to help upgrade homes and to tackle fuel poverty. Support for home upgrades is also available via the Energy Company Obligation. Financial support is available through the Warm Home Discount which has been expanded for this winter increasing the total number of households that are estimated to receive the discount from 3.2 million to around 6 million.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) internal and (b) external insulation installed under Government energy efficiency schemes are fitted to a high standard in Surrey Heath constituency.
Companies installing insulation under the Government’s energy efficiency schemes must be registered with Trustmark and carry out work to the PAS2035 standard. We have improved the quality assurance and consumer protection systems since identifying the issues with solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS. We will be offering a comprehensive on-site audit to all households that received external wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS and any issues will be fixed at no cost to the householder. TrustMark and certification bodies can suspend companies who do not meet the expected standards, and will continue to enforce the robust, published reinstatement policy.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing support to solar cooperatives in Surrey Heath constituency.
Local communities must be at the centre of local project development and directly benefit from clean energy projects. GBE, in support of the Local Power Plan, will enhance support for local and community energy by providing funding, capacity and capability support at all stages of project development, driving the growth of the local and community energy sector.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that compensation arrangements for prolonged power outages are (a) fair, (b) transparent and (c) reflect the impact on affected households in Surrey Heath constituency.
All customers are entitled to compensation if distribution companies fail to meet Ofgem’s Quality-of-Service Guaranteed Standards. Ofgem clearly outlines the eligibility criteria for compensation on its website and will take action if companies do not meet their obligations in regard to delivering compensation. Ofgem regularly review and update their compensation arrangements. The most recent changes were made following the Storm Arwen Review which came into effect on 1 September 2023 and enable higher levels of compensation at more regular intervals.