Written questions by Mitchell.

Whether University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust will receive funding for new batteries and solar panels as part of the Clean Energy Upgrades for Hospitals and Military Sites scheme.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the resilience of the national grid infrastructure in the West Midlands to withstand disruption.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to support vulnerable low energy users who find switching energy suppliers difficult.

Vulnerable consumers who wish to switch energy supplier should contact their current supplier in the first instance who will be able to provide further information and support them through the process. Vulnerable consumers can also contact Citizens Advice by phone or via their website for additional support with switching suppliers. Those who need extra support are also able to sign up for the Priority Services Register for free. Those on the PSR receive extra help from suppliers, such as help taking their meter readings, advanced notice of power cuts, and making sure their phone calls are a priority. Eligible individuals include those at or above State Pension age, those with a disability or medical condition, and people with children under the age of 5. Detailed information on switching energy supplier can be found on Ofgem’s website: Switch energy supplier | Ofgem.

What recent steps his Department has taken to ensure energy security in Sutton Coldfield constituency.

The Government is strengthening energy security by reducing dependency on volatile global fossil fuel markets and delivering a diverse, secure and clean energy system based on renewables and nuclear, backed up by a strategic reserve of gas supply to be used only when essential, which will benefit the country and the Hon. Member’s constituency. For further detail I refer the Rt hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 March to Question UIN 113858.

If he will estimate the number of households with a non-working smart meter in the West Midlands.

The Department collects data on smart meters not operating in smart mode at a national level. The latest statistics on smart meters in operation across GB are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/smart-meters-in-great-britain-quarterly-update-september-2025. Energy suppliers are obligated to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers’ smart meters are operating in smart mode. The Department is continuing to work closely with industry and Ofgem to reduce the proportion of smart meters not operating in smart mode, which has been steadily decreasing. Smart meters not operating in smart mode continue to record energy usage accurately but do not send automatic readings to energy suppliers.

How much the Boiler Upgrade Scheme paid out for heat pumps in the West Midlands over the past year.

In the financial year 2024/25 the Boiler Upgrade Scheme paid out £14.44 million for heat pumps installed in the West Midlands. Further details on the number of applications by status, region and technology type, broken down by financial year, are provided in table A1.1A here.

What discussions his Department has had with (a) Ofgem and (b) energy suppliers on ensuring enough engineer appointments are available to complete the replacement of radio teleswitch service meters before the forthcoming switch-off in the West Midlands.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.