Written questions by Dixon.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of utilising disused water and gas pipes in the laying of new electrical cables as part of National Grid upgrades.

Network operators are responsible for assessing and selecting the appropriate construction methods for new infrastructure. The government has not undertaken an assessment of utilising disused pipes for the installation of new electricity cables but notes there are technical difficulties in using redundant pipes for electricity transmission, including the need to dissipate heat from electricity cables running through the pipes, means of access for maintenance and repair, the need to pass cables through the existing compressors and valves and, for AC cables, the need for power factor correction components. In addition, redundant pipes are not always located where infrastructure is required.

If he will ensure that revised sustainability criteria for biomass are in place before new Contracts for Difference are finalised for (a) Drax and (b) Lynemouth power stations.

Revised sustainability criteria for large scale biomass generators, such as Drax and Lynemouth, were published on 10 February 2025 following a consultation.https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transitional-support-mechanism-for-large-scale-biomass-electricity-generators These criteria will apply to any potential contracts awarded under this mechanism.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending eligibility for (a) energy support schemes and (b) the Warm Home Discount to people whose homes are not connected to electric or gas networks.

For schemes such as the Winter Fuel Payment, which helps pensioner households with heating costs, and the Cold Weather Payment, which offers additional support during periods of very cold weather to those on certain income-related benefits, households do not need to be connected to the gas or electricity networks. To be eligible for the Warm Home Discount a consumer must be named on an energy account with an obligated supplier and be in receipt of a relevant means tested benefit. In February 2025 the Government consulted on broadening the scheme to include households without a direct relationship with an energy supplier, however it was not feasible to take this forward without increasing the cost of the scheme for all consumers.

What progress his Department has made in producing a climate action plan by 29 October 2025.

We will deliver an updated plan that sets out the policy package out to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037 for all sectors of the economy later this month. This will outline the policies and proposals needed to deliver Carbon Budgets 4-6 on a pathway to net zero.

If he will apply the forthcoming revised sustainability criteria for biomass to any new Contracts for Difference being developed for post-2027 generation at (a) Drax and (b) Lynemouth power stations.

Revised sustainability criteria for large-scale biomass electricity generators, such as Drax and Lynemouth, were published on 10 February 2025 following a consultation.https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transitional-support-mechanism-for-large-scale-biomass-electricity-generators These criteria will apply to any potential contracts awarded under this mechanism.More broadly, the Government plans to consult later this year on the development of a Common Biomass Sustainability Framework. The timeline for publication and implementation of the framework will depend on the outcomes of that consultation.

What recent discussions he has had with the Climate Change Committee on whether the UK is on track to stay within its carbon budgets from 2025 until 2042.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State regularly engages with the Climate Change Committee (CCC). This year, the CCC published their independent advice to government on Carbon Budget 7 (2038-2042) and their annual progress report to government, which found that the government has made “bold policy decisions” in the last year to deliver progress in key areas to reduce emissions. We are considering their independent advice to government and will respond in due course.

When he plans to publish the revised sustainability criteria for biomass.

The Government plans to consult later this year on the development of a Common Biomass Sustainability Framework. The timeline for publication and implementation of the framework will depend on the outcomes of that consultation.

Whether his Department is taking steps to encourage new build developments to include solar panels.

The Government fully supports the accelerated deployment of rooftop solar panels, which will be critical to achieving clean power by 2030. From next year, Future Homes and Buildings Standards will ensure that all newly-built houses and commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. The Government will encourage the installation of solar panels on these developments, where appropriate. The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as they develop these standards.

What steps he is taking to increase solar power generation.

The Government recently announced the re-establishment of the Solar Taskforce and publication of the Solar Roadmap will follow shortly, setting out recommendations on how we and industry will work together to achieve our ambition to radically increase deployment by 2030. Alongside that, Government recently concluded its latest Contracts for Difference round, where a record 3.3GW of solar capacity was secured.