Written questions by Morello.

What steps his Department is taking to help support communities in rural areas to access (a) funding and (b) other incentives for net-zero projects.

Government recognises the important role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change and offers support for the sector. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will support communities to roll out small and medium scale renewable energy projects, providing commercial, technical and project‑planning assistance, increasing their capability and capacity to build a pipeline of successful projects in their local areas. Government also supports the sector through the £10 million Community Energy Fund, which allows both rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment.

What steps his Department is taking to provide (a) administrative and (b) financial support to help rural off-grid households switch to low-carbon heating solutions in West Dorset.

The ‘Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home’ tool on Gov.uk provides homeowners, including those living off the gas grid, with impartial and tailored advice on how to retrofit their homes. The website can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency. Regarding financial support for upgrades, there are a number of schemes providing financial assistance to help rural off-grid households switch to low carbon heating including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Home Upgrade Grant, Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation scheme. We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant, with delivery expected in 2025.

What steps his Department is taking to support people in rural communities to (a) transition to renewable energy sources and (b) maintain local environmental protections.

Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will support both rural and urban communities to roll out small and medium scale renewable energy projects, providing commercial, technical and project‑planning assistance, increasing their capability and capacity to build a pipeline of successful projects in their local areas. Renewable projects are subject to planning controls to protect local communities and the environment.

What steps his Department is taking to support rural off-grid households to switch to low-carbon heating solutions in West Dorset constituency.

The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills across the UK, including in West Dorset. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to property owners, including to those living off the gas grid, to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating. Support for boosting energy efficiency in off-grid homes is also available through the Home Upgrade Grant, Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation scheme. We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant, with delivery expected in 2025.

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

Information on the number of homes that have had energy efficiency measures installed in West Dorset constituency from 2013 onwards can be found in the tables accompanying the following scheme statistical releases: Energy Company Obligation – Table 4.5Great British Insulation Scheme – Table 6Green Homes Grant Vouchers Scheme – Table 4.4Local Authority Delivery and Home Upgrade Grant – Table 11Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) – Table 7 Prior to 2013, Government support for energy efficiency measures was provided via the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and Community Energy Saving Programme.

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

As part of our clean power mission, we will work with the private sector to radically increase the deployment of onshore wind, solar and offshore wind by 2030. We will invest in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy, and ensure we have the long-term energy storage required. This will significantly increase the number of homes powered by clean energy across the country, including in West Dorset. Steps we have taken include the immediate removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, establishing an Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce, the re-establishment of the Solar Taskforce, and securing 131 new projects through the AR6 auction.