Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What assessment he has made of the implications of his policy on natural gas production between October 2025 and February 2026 on energy prices.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment has he made of the surety of heating oil supply for October 2026 onwards.

The Government keeps the security of heating oil supply under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse security of fuel supplies, including heating oil. While heating oil markets can experience periods of operational pressure, supply continues to be available through established domestic and international supply routes. The Government works closely with the sector to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions and will continue to monitor the position closely as the heating season approaches.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122231 on Energy: Prices, what estimate he has made of the proportion of demand made up of liquified natural gas imported from Qatar by 2035.

The Department has not made an assessment as to the proportion of demand that Qatari LNG will account for in 2035. LNG will continue to play an important role in the UK’s gas supply mix and it is the Department’s view that this will continue to arrive from a range of different countries.

What assessment he has made of the level of risk of Russian physical interference in the UK’s offshore wind turbine energy infrastructure.

National Security is a key priority for the government. The Department is working with the National Protective Security Authority, the energy industry, regulators, and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the security and resilience of energy infrastructure. This work focusses on reducing the vulnerability of networks and assets and ensuring an effective response to incidents - considering a range of threats and future system changes.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact on domestic energy prices of the damage to the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, caused by the Iranian missile strike on 18 March 2026.

The Prime Minister has condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian strikes on Gulf oil and gas facilities. The UK benefits from a strong and diverse security of energy supplies, with only around 1% of the UK's gas supply coming from Qatar. Thanks to the actions we took in the Budget, the price cap is fixed from 1 April until the end of June – meaning household energy bills will go down for its three-month duration. As Ofgem have said, it is “genuinely it is too early to tell” the impact of this conflict on the next price cap.

If he will hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on preparations for potential fuel rationing, in the context of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK has a strong and diverse security of energy supplies. Petrol stations in the UK are well-stocked. Both the AA and Fuels Industry UK have been clear drivers should fill up as normal, with fuel production and imports continuing across the UK as usual. In 2025, around 90% of the crude oil refined in the UK was imported, and only around 1% of that came from the Middle East. UK refinery production of petrol, from crude oil, in 2025 exceeded demand. We had surplus to export. As a responsible government, we continue to plan for all eventualities and are monitoring the situation closely.

What assessment has he made of the efficiency of the current grid access prioritisation process.

Government has worked closely with the National Energy System Operator and network companies on their programme of connections reforms which have already reduced the queue for generation and storage connections by over half. NESO and the network companies have recently set out a revised timeline for issuing updated connections agreements.

With reference to the press release published on 5 February 2026 titled Clean energy upgrades for hospitals and military sites, whether funding for new batteries and solar panels will be allocated to Hinchingbrooke hospital.

None of this funding was allocated for Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

With reference to the US joint Department of Army and Department of Energy Project Janus, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of helping develop small modular reactors.

The government is committed to delivering a new golden age of nuclear, securing an abundance of clean energy, protecting family finances, taking back control of our energy supply, and tackling the climate crisis. The government has committed almost £17bn across the Spending Review period to the most ambitious nuclear new build programme for a generation. This includes over £2.5bn across the Spending Review period to enable one of Europe’s first small modular reactor programmes. Government recognises the potential benefits offered by different uses of advanced nuclear, including: supplying electricity to the grid; off-grid solutions, including supplying data centres via private wire; and providing heat to support industrial decarbonisation. In September last year, the UK and the US signed a high-level agreement to collaborate on nuclear energy and fusion under the Tech Prosperity Deal. As part of that agreement, the Government committed to exploring opportunities for novel applications of advanced nuclear energy, including strengthening energy resilience for the Participants’ defence facilities on which we continue to engage.

What was the budget for a) security and b) cyber security in the National Gas business plan each year for the past five years.

Funding for National Gas Transmission is set by Ofgem’s RIIO (Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs) framework for each five-year regulatory period. For security reasons, Ofgem does not publish the specific allowances awarded for physical or cyber security. These investments are designed to strengthen resilience, often for Critical National Infrastructure, and disclosure could increase risks to individual companies and the wider energy sector.

What recent progress has he made in delivering the Great British Nuclear programme.

As announced in June, the Great British Nuclear – Energy (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) programme was allocated over £2.5 billion across the Spending Review period. In November, the government announced that the SMR project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, with initial site activity expected to begin in 2026. GBE-N has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to develop the UK’s first SMR project and, subject to final government approvals, is targeting contract signature before the end of the year.

What assessment has he made of the import costs of biomass sourcing of the fuel for the Drax power station.

It is for generators to determine the most cost effective way of importing biomass, as this is a commercial decision. All transportation of biomass must comply with strict supply chain emission thresholds in order to be eligible for any subsidy.

What assessment his Department has made of whether the National Energy System Operator needs to approve additional grid connection for the final phase of the rebuild of Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to him on 20 October to question UIN 82445

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of receiving approval from NESO for additional grid connection for the final phase of Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s rebuild.

Details of the requirements for individual connections to the electricity network are held in private connection contracts between the relevant parties. Faster grid connections are crucial to the Government's clean energy superpower and growth missions. We announced plans in the Industrial Strategy on a series of measures to accelerate connections for strategically important demand projects.

How much was allocated to the security and cybersecurity spend of the National Gas Business Plan in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

Funding for National Gas Transmission is set by Ofgem’s RIIO (Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs) framework for each five-year regulatory period. Both the current RIIO-2 framework (covering the 2021-2026 regulatory period) and the draft RIIO-3 framework (which will cover 2026-2030) include a Cyber Resilience UIOLI (‘Use it or lose it’) allowance, providing flexible funding capped at up to 20% of total expenditure for network companies to improve cyber resilience.

How many vacancies are there at GB Energy.

Great British Energy (GBE) is currently in its initial start-up phase, with a strong focus on building staff capability to deliver against the Statement of Strategic Priorities. At present, there are 15 roles in recruitment, with numerous additional roles in development that are planned for recruitment in the coming months.

With reference to the press release entitled Great British Energy to cut bills for hospitals and schools, published on 21 March 2025, over how many financial years the partnership with Great British Energy to increase solar generation across the NHS will take place.

The investment announced by Great British Energy and the UK government in March is for schools and hospitals for the 2025/26 financial year. Beyond 2025/26, we expect decisions on funding and investment to be made by Great British Energy as it becomes fully operational.

With reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

The Departments primary spending on National Security is focused on resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and cross-cutting capabilities such as cyber security. Maintaining secure energy supplies is a key priority for Government as this underpins our economy, national security, and way of life. DESNZ works closely with industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the security and resilience of energy infrastructure and networks to reduce vulnerabilities.

How many staff GB Energy had on 5 July 2025.

On 5 July 2025, there were 38 people employed with Great British Energy (GBE), 2 Secondees and 8 Contingent Workers.

What type of projects the the Great British Energy Community Fund is permitted to be spent on.

Great British Energy announced that £5 million will be allocated to the Great British Energy Community Fund (GBECF) in 2025/26, a grant funding scheme to support community energy groups to generate their own clean power projects. GBECF can support projects under two broad headings:Type A – Community energy asset project (such as renewable or low carbon energy, electric vehicles)Type B – Community energy efficiency or advice project Further information on project eligibility can be found in the scheme guidance document, which is available on the Local Net Zero Hubs websites. It provides funding for feasibility studies (stage 1 - up to £40k) and business case development (stage 2 - up to 100k).