Written questions by Hanna.

What support is available to Northern Ireland through Great British Energy.

Great British Energy (GBE) will operate in Northern Ireland (NI) as part of its commitment to deliver in all four nations of the UK. In line with its Strategic Plan, GBE will be taking forward the appropriate opportunities in Northern Ireland across all its activities. This includes onshore, offshore, local and supply chain. GBE committed £1.62 million for community and public sector renewable projects in Northern Ireland. On 10 December, we announced that this funding will help Further Education Colleges to benefit from clean energy, through installation of Solar PV at a number of sites. GBE are continuing to work with partners in Northern Ireland to inform the development of products and services, with further details to be processed later in the year as part of their LPP product portfolio. On 11 December, GBE launched a £300m supply chain fund for offshore wind and networks. All areas of the UK will be eligible for funding, meaning projects may be located anywhere in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, subject to Windsor Framework considerations.

If he will publish a breakdown of support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland from the UK Government.

Responsibility for policy and financial support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland is largely devolved. The principal UK‑wide mechanism supporting renewable electricity in Northern Ireland has been the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO), administered by Ofgem as part of the wider Renewables Obligation framework. NIRO support is funded through electricity suppliers rather than direct Exchequer spending, and therefore does not constitute a single, ring‑fenced UK Government funding allocation. Information on accredited installations, certificates issued and scheme costs is published annually by Ofgem. Decisions on new support schemes for renewable energy in Northern Ireland rest with the Northern Ireland Executive.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the UK becoming a signatory to the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The UK has not endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, but we will keep the potential for such initiatives under review. We are committed to working with all alliances where our interests align in delivering the outcomes of the Paris Agreement.

What steps his Department is taking to support or incentivise the reuse of building materials reclaimed from previous construction within new build or retrofit projects.

The Government will soon publish a Circular Economy Strategy, which will include a Built Environment Roadmap setting out measures to promote reuse of building materials and reduce unnecessary demolition. This will support resource efficiency and help to reduce the overall carbon footprint of construction. In addition, the Warm Homes Plan will drive energy efficiency improvements through retrofit, helping to extend building lifespans and reducing waste. These initiatives will embed circular principles across the built environment and encourage recovery and reuse of materials from previous construction projects.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of VAT on the number of domestic retrofits undertaken annually.

A 0% rate of VAT on the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in domestic properties is already in place. Additionally, installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) can benefit from reduced VAT. VAT treatment is the responsibility of the Treasury, and they keep all taxes under review. The Treasury assesses ESMs based on energy efficiency, carbon emissions, cost-effectiveness and alignment with broader VAT principles. There are also already a number of government schemes offering financial support to consumers looking to upgrade their homes. The Warm Homes Plan will be published shortly and will provide further information on the government’s approach to decarbonising our housing stock.

Whether the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission will consider matters relating to Northern Ireland.

Energy policy is largely devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE). As such the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission is focused on decarbonisation of the power system in Great Britain. However, we are keen to share learnings from this process with ...

What discussions he has had with (a) Ofgem and (b) energy companies on introducing a social tariff for low-income households.

The Government is committed to supporting low-income households this winter, and we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides an annual £150 rebate off energy bills to eligible low-income households. Last month, I met with energy su...