Written questions by Griffith.

What assessment his Department has made of purchasing Emissions Trading Scheme permits in the secondary market on the cost to businesses.

The price of carbon allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme is set by the market. A market-determined price of carbon is the most efficient way to decarbonise the traded sector. The UK ETS Authority sets the scheme’s cap, which sets a limit on the volume of greenhouse gases participants captured by the scheme can emit. In 2024 the UK ETS cap was aligned to net zero. This ensures the covered sectors will reduce their emissions in line with the UK’s climate target and establishes a long-term investment signal. An impact assessment was conducted, including costs to businesses.

How many businesses received free allowances under the Emissions Trading Scheme in each of the last three years.

The number of businesses that received free allowances under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) in each of the last three years was as follows: 2024: 2842025: 2732026: 265 Note that the Allocation Table lists the company that operated each site at the time the table was last updated, rather than when the free allowances for a given year were distributed, so the figures above should be treated as approximate for 2024 and 2025. This information is publicly available on GOV.UK at UK ETS Allocation Table for operators of installations - GOV.UK.

How many free allowances were granted to businesses under the Emissions Trading Scheme in each of the last three years.

The total number of free allowances distributed under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) in each of the last three years was as follows: 2024: 30,823,9372025: 25,451,6712026: 24,107,382 This information is publicly available on GOV.UK at UK ETS Allocation Table for operators of installations - GOV.UK.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of carbon reporting requirements on businesses.

Building on a summary of responses to a Call for Evidence published in November 2024 , DESNZ has commissioned an evaluation of the SECR regulations, which we expect to publish in early 2026. DESNZ is also undertaking an internal review to assess opportunities to streamline carbon reporting requirements to reduce the administrative burden placed on businesses, supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s Non-Financial Reporting (NFR) review and cross-Government Regulation Action Plan.The Government has committed to delivering the foundations of a world-leading sustainable finance framework to drive investment in the green transition and deliver economic growth. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has worked closely with the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury on how best to take forward transition plan and emissions reporting requirements, with recently published consultations on these topics now live.

When he plans to respond to the letter dated 19 December 2024 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

My noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath wrote to the hon Member on 6 February about Rampion 2.

Whether his Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day.

To be eligible for 2 weeks paid paternity leave in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, an employee must have worked continuously for the Civil Service for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due, or for at least 26 weeks up to the week their spouse, civil partner or partner was matched with a child for adoption. Employees who have already completed continuous service in another Civil Service organisation at the point of joining the Department could qualify for paternity leave on their first day of service. In addition to paternity leave, fathers, civil partners or partners have a statutory right to time off to attend up to two ante-natal or pre-adoption appointments from their first day of employment. As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill comes into effect.

What discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with newcleo Ltd in the last three months.

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of small modular reactors.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. The Department has provided funding of up to £210m to support the development of the Rolls Royce SMR design. The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund is currently awarding grants of up to £67m to support advanced nuclear designs through UK regulation, including SMRs.Separately, Great British Nuclear is continuing to deliver the live SMR Technology Selection Process for UK deployment.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of nuclear reactors which make use of re-processed fuels.

The decision of whether or when to reprocess spent fuel is a matter for the owner of the spent fuel. Whilst industrial scale reprocessing of spent fuels in the UK has ended, the value of the UK’s nuclear fuel cycle knowledge and skills base is recognised, both in managing the UK’s nuclear legacy and in supporting future capabilities and research programmes. The UK Government continues to provide support through investments in research facilities and programmes.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of advanced modular reactors.

Advanced Modular Reactors have the potential to help tackle hard-to-abate emissions in energy intensive industries. The Government continues to fund research and innovation to develop High Temperature Gas Reactor technology and their advanced fuels through the £385 million Advanced Nuclear Fund during the current Spending Review period. The current programme is also providing funding to the UK’s nuclear regulators to ensure they can develop capabilities to regulate novel reactor types. Some advanced reactor designs require High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel, so securing a supply of HALEU is essential to unleash the benefits of new designs on our path to Net Zero. Our £300m HALEU programme expect to develop a full HALEU front-end fuel cycle capability in the UK by the early 2030s, helping to support and attract advanced reactor designs to the UK.

Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on easing planning rules for SMR reactors.

A new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) is being developed which will provide updated planning guidance and set out any specific assessment criteria for the siting of new nuclear power stations, including Small Modular Reactors (SMR).