Written questions by Morello.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the forthcoming Fuel Finder scheme in addressing significant local fuel price disparities.

Fuel Finder will increase price transparency so drivers can compare prices to find the best deal and incentivise greater local competition, including in rural areas. The expectation is that third party organisations such as price comparison websites, navigation apps, and other app developers will access the data and incorporate into their consumer facing products, which consumers can then use to compare fuel prices in their local area. In our draft Impact Assessment, we assess this could result in fuel cost savings for drivers totalling £10.4bn over 10 years which amounts to savings of 1-6 pence per litre at the pump. The hon Member can find the Impact Assessment at www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348275308/impacts

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) rural areas can access more competitive fuel prices through the Fuel Finder scheme.

Fuel Finder will increase price transparency so drivers can compare prices to find the best deal and incentivise greater local competition, including in rural areas. The expectation is that third party organisations such as price comparison websites, navigation apps, and other app developers will access the data and incorporate into their consumer facing products, which consumers can then use to compare fuel prices in their local area. In our draft Impact Assessment, we assess this could result in fuel cost savings for drivers totalling £10.4bn over 10 years which amounts to savings of 1-6 pence per litre at the pump. The hon Member can find the Impact Assessment at www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348275308/impacts

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of heating bills on rural communities in the context of the Autumn Budget 2025.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past. We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030, including those in rural communities. On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from this winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bills. On 25 September we published a consultation setting out our intention to continue support for those 6 million households. The consultation sets out proposals for the next scheme period (up to winter 2030/31), after current regulations expire on 31 March 2026. Government is gathering feedback from stakeholders on: the design of the core elements of the schemeoptions for delivery of the scheme in Scotlandproposals to change some elements of the scheme for suppliersa call for evidence on Industry Initiativesa call for suggestions for future improvements during the next scheme period The consultation closes on Thursday 20 November.

If he will make it his policy review the minimum export value for rooftop solar electricity to support investment.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism in which energy suppliers, not government, set both tariff levels and structure. This is designed to encourage innovation and competition in the sector and minimise costs to consumers. The Government monitors the SEG to ensure it continues to support the Clean Energy Mission. Any introduction of a minimum export price would need to be carefully balanced against potential costs to consumers.

What funding he has allocated to support innovation in greenhouse gas removals in each year of this Parliament.

The Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation programme, delivered under the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, developed 14 First-of-a-Kind Demonstrator plants nationwide. This Government has a clear focus on commercial deployment. The HyNet Track-1 expansion Project Negotiation List, which includes two Greenhouse Gas Removal projects, was published on 5 August 2025. These projects will now proceed to the negotiations phase of the selection process. Government has also made a significant funding commitment of up to £21.7billion, over 25 years, to kickstart the Carbon Capture Usage and Storage industry.Allocation of funding to UKRI for research and innovation is ongoing so forecasts on future innovation spend are not currently available.

Whether he plans to replace the Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation Programme.

The Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation programme, delivered under the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, developed 14 First-of-a-Kind Demonstrator plants nationwide. This Government has a clear focus on commercial deployment. The HyNet Track-1 expansion Project Negotiation List, which includes two Greenhouse Gas Removal projects, was published on 5 August 2025. These projects will now proceed to the negotiations phase of the selection process. Government has also made a significant funding commitment of up to £21.7billion, over 25 years, to kickstart the Carbon Capture Usage and Storage industry.Allocation of funding to UKRI for research and innovation is ongoing so forecasts on future innovation spend are not currently available.

What the total cost to the public purse was for the Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation Programme.

This initiative was part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The total government investment in the Greenhouse Gas Removals Innovation Programme has been £53m.

Whether he has had discussions with rooftop solar panel manufacturers on the minimum commercially-viable price for exports.

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

What steps his Department is taking to support the scale-up of technologies needed to achieve 23 million tonnes of engineered carbon removals per year by 2035.

Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs) will be important to Net Zero - balancing residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors whilst providing economic opportunities. In August Government published details of the GGR Business Model and published the Carbon Capture and Storage HyNet Track-1 expansion Project Negotiation List, which includes two GGR projects. To support demand, Government published a response to the consultation on the integration of GGRs into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and consulted on options to ensure integrity of the Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market. To ensure removals are measurable and verifiable, in July the British Standards Institution, commissioned by Government, published interim methodologies for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage. The Government has also invested £100 million in research and innovation for GGRs, including the GGRs Innovation Programme.

What recent assessment he has made of the progress made towards delivering 5 million tonnes of engineered carbon removals by 2030.

We remain committed to developing and deploying Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs) at scale in the UK, recognising the important role they play in achieving net zero. The Government 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, including GGRs, by October 2025. The Government will also set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with our statutory duties.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing the level of carbon removal on the UK's ability to meet it's net zero targets by (a) 2030 and (b) 2050.

The Government 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, including Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), by October 2025. The Government will also set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with our statutory duties. Under the Climate Change Act, the UK has a legally binding commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. GGR technologies will be important for reaching net zero – balancing residual emissions from hard-to-decarbonise sectors while providing new economic opportunities.

What recent steps his Department has taken to support the development of carbon removal technologies ahead of the Autumn Budget.

Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs) will be important to Net Zero - balancing residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors whilst providing economic opportunities. In August Government published details of the GGR Business Model and published the Carbon Capture and Storage HyNet Track-1 expansion Project Negotiation List, which includes two GGR projects. To support demand, Government published a response to the consultation on the integration of GGRs into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and have consulted on options to ensure integrity of the Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market. To ensure removals are measurable and verifiable, the British Standards Institution, commissioned by Government, published in July interim methodologies for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage. The Government has also invested £100 million in research and innovation for GGRs, including the GGRs Innovation Programme.

What discussions he has had with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains repairs.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

What support is available for hotels in West Dorset constituency to transition to more energy-efficient (a) heating and (b) cooling systems.

The Government is working with local government, businesses, and the private sector to develop options to ensure our commercial buildings are thermally efficient, clean and affordable to run with a clear, practical path to meet Net Zero. We are supporting a pilot for hospitality businesses with Zero Carbon Services to help hospitality SMEs reduce carbon and energy bills. And the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers businesses grants of £7500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing heat pumps, and £5000 towards a biomass boiler, to replace their existing fossil fuel systems.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains maintenance in West Dorset constituency.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of businesses powered by green energy in West Dorset constituency.

We are delivering on our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan to increase the number of businesses powered by green energy. We have lifted the onshore wind ban, established Great British Energy, consented almost 2GW of solar, delivered a record renewables auction, and launched carbon capture and hydrogen industries. In addition, we are driving forward vital planning and networks reforms to speed up clean power deployment. The Government also is helping businesses to improve their energy efficiency and reduce the amount of energy they use by providing funding to upgrade their old boiler. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of £7500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing heat pumps, and £5000 towards a biomass boiler, for properties looking to replace their existing fossil fuel heating.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the condition of gas mains infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

How many businesses had energy efficiency measures installed in West Dorset constituency between 2010 and 2024.

The Government does not hold any information or statistics about this area. While a range of Government schemes and incentives have supported energy efficiency improvements across the commercial sector, detailed data is not collected at a national or constituency level.

What discussions he has had with OFGEM on the potential impact of its proposed RIIO GD3 settlement for the gas network on levels of health and safety.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 28th July to questions UIN 69173 and 69174.

What discussions he had with Ofgem prior to the RIIO GD3 interim settlement for the gas network.

Ofgem’s RIIO3-GD3 interim settlement outlines allowable investment from the gas transmission and distribution operators to maintain safety and resilience in the gas network between April 2026 and April 2031. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues. Similarly, the Secretary of State has regular meetings with Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator. Final RIIO-GD3 determinations, including those relating to investment, health and safety, and customer bills are ultimately for Ofgem to determine.