Written questions by Bowie.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of unused North Sea oil and gas on energy security.

The North Sea is a highly mature basin. Production of oil and gas has been declining since a peak in 1999 and around 80% of our oil is exported. The UK benefits from a secure and diverse energy system, which allows us to draw on several sources, reducing our reliance on any single source. The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of building a gigawatt scale nuclear plant at Wylfa on the (a) Welsh economy and (b) UK energy supply.

No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C or where such a project would be located. Therefore, the government has not carried out an assessment of the economic impact of any future project on the Welsh economy. However, by comparison, Hinkley Point C supports about 10,000 jobs during construction and will support approximately 900 permanent jobs during its 60 years of operation.

What estimate he has made of the size of the UK’s gas reserves in each year between 2025 and 2030.

Data on UK gas reserves is published in Energy in Brief; data for 2024 will be published on 31st July 2025. The North Sea Transition Authority publish projected production between 2025 and 2050. The Midstream Gas System: Update to the Market published on 30th June highlights the government's focus on ensuring the resilience of gas supply and infrastructure as domestic production declines.

If he will publish the previous Government’s cost impact assessment for building a gigawatt scale nuclear plant at Wylfa.

Great British Energy–Nuclear acquired the Wylfa site last year and we will set out our plans in due course. No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C, but all nuclear projects are subject to a detailed value for money assessment, including cost.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of heat networks on infrastructure-led economic growth.

The deployment of heat networks is predicted to have a positive impact on economic growth in the UK, however a full assessment of the scale of growth has not yet been undertaken. We will set out our long-term plans for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan later this year, including the important role that they will play in achieving net zero, and in promoting economic growth.

Whether the contribution of heat networks will be included in the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

The Government recognises that to achieve net-zero we will need to ensure all technologies including heat networks are able to meet their potential. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will reduce uncertainty by bringing together a long-term plan for the social, economic and housing infrastructure across the UK. This will include clean energy sectors, which include heat networks. We will set out our long-term plans for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan later this year, including the important role that they will play in achieving net zero, and in promoting local economic growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of heat networks in achieving the UK’s net zero targets as part of the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

The Government recognises that to achieve net-zero we will need to ensure all technologies including heat networks are able to meet their potential. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will reduce uncertainty by bringing together a long-term plan for the social, economic and housing infrastructure across the UK. This will include clean energy sectors, which include heat networks. We will set out our long-term plans for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan later this year, including the important role that they will play in achieving net zero, and in promoting local economic growth.

With reference to StandWithUs' report entitled StandWithUs UK Report: Voice of Students 2024/25 Report, published in May 2025, if he will have discussions with vice chancellors of universities in Scotland on antisemitism on campuses.

The Scotland Office and I meet regularly with Scottish universities on a wide range of issues and this Government utterly condemns antisemitism in the strongest possible terms. We are committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for all students while upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom on campus.

What meetings he has had with the US Agriculture Secretary since 4 July 2024.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with international counterparts on a number of issues.

What steps he is taking to ensure that energy generators accurately report sources of wood pellets from the US.

Biomass generators are required to submit monthly sustainability data and annual audit reports from an independent verifier under existing subsidy arrangements. These data returns are scrutinised by Ofgem, and include compliance with land and GHG greenhouse gas (GHG) emission criteria, volume of biomass, fuel name, fuel type and voluntary certification scheme used. This applies to biomass sourced from the UK, US or any other nation. At the announcement of the new Heads of Terms with Drax on 10 February, we made clear that sustainability assurance arrangements for future large-scale generation will be strengthened further. We are working closely with expert bodies including Ofgem, LCCC and SBP to enhance reporting, ensuring best practice in sustainability and land use.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that wood pellets from the US are not sourced from (a) environmentally important and (b) rare forests.

Existing sustainability requirements for current subsidy arrangements include robust land-use criteria to ensure biomass is sourced from sustainably managed forests. This includes requirements around sustainable harvesting and biodiversity protection. Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, is responsible for monitoring profiling data on land criteria and enforcing wider sustainability standards. To further reduce the risk of wood pellets being sourced from environmentally significant areas, we will be excluding material sourced from primary and old growth forest from being eligible for subsidy under the proposed Heads of Terms with Drax announced on the 10th February.

Whether his Department has made a comparative estimate of carbon emissions when using (a) US produced and (b) UK produced wood pellets.

All biomass pellets for UK generation, regardless of country of origin, must meet supply chain emissions thresholds; these have been tightened further to 36.6 gCO2eq/MJ in the Heads of Terms agreed with Drax and announced on 10 February. It is for generators to determine how and where to source compliant sustainable biomass pellets to meet the required volumes of generation.

What assessment his Department has made of the sustainability of using US-produced wood pellets for energy generation in the UK.

The government only supports the use of sustainable biomass, and generators only receive subsidies for biomass that meets our robust sustainability criteria. Domestically sourced and imported wood pellets, regardless of the country of origin, are subject to the sustainability requirements in the current subsidy arrangements for biomass generators, which include supply chain emission thresholds and land-use criteria.

Whether he has held recent discussions with his US counterpart on whether wood pellets exported to the UK meet the UK’s sustainability criteria.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with international counterparts on a number of issues.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of transatlantic shipments of wood pellets on carbon emissions.

The government sets robust supply chain emissions thresholds as part of the sustainability criteria for large-scale biomass generation. Shipping, and all other transport, emissions are included in that requirement. As announced on 10 February, the supply chain emissions threshold for eligible large scale biomass generators is proposed to be tightened further under proposed arrangements with Drax, from 55.6 gCO2e/MJ to 36.6 gCO2e/MJ. It is for individual generators to determine how and where to source sufficient, eligible material to meet the requirements set out by government.

What agreements he has made with the US Government on the potential import of wood pellets.

The Government does not enter into agreements with other governments on the supply of biomass for UK power generation. Rather, it sets sustainability criteria which must be met for generation to be eligible for subsidy, and it is for individual generators to determine how and where to source material to meet these requirements.

What steps he is taking to ensure the North Sea Transition Authority maximises the economic recovery of oil and gas in the North Sea.

The Department is responsible for the policy framework within which the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) operates. The OGA Strategy outlines how the NSTA’s principal objective will be met. The NSTA does so in several ways – for example, facilitating collaboration across the basin. The Building the North Sea’s Energy Future consultation, which closed on 30 April 2025, sought views on whether the NSTA’s principal objective of maximising economic recovery adequately reflects the current context in the North Sea and supports the Government’s strategic objectives. The Government will respond in due course.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, whether (a) bacon, (b) ham, (c) other cured meats and (d) other processed meats procured by the House and served on the parliamentary estate contain added nitrites; and whether the House has policies on the procurement of meat products processed with nitrites.

The House has no policies on the procurement of meat products processed with nitrites.Nitrites are present in the following meat products served on the estate: Bacon, Chorizo, Salami, Pancetta, Prosciutto, Salted Beef Brisket.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of making biomethane eligible for the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

The Government recognises biomethane as a practical and cost-effective way of contributing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to combustion of biomethane where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where biomethane is injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately. As outlined in the future policy framework for biomethane production call for evidence, the Government is working with the ETS Authority to consider whether the ETS could account for biomethane injected into the gas grid and will provide an update on this in due course.

Whether his Department has issued guidance to industrial producers on how they can effectively decarbonise their operations.

Since July last year, we have provided a host of support and guidance to industry. This has included: guidance to SMEs through our Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) pilot and to local clusters through our Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans scheme; funding for further studies and projects supporting industrial decarbonisation under the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund; and providing updates to the market on our hydrogen and carbon capture business models and support, as well as confirming £21.7bn funding to launch the UK’s first carbon capture sites. To give longer-term confidence for industry to decarbonise, we will publish an Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy ensuring growth opportunities are captured in tandem with emissions reductions.