Written questions by Stainbank.

What his planned timetable is for implementing reforms to decouple electricity prices from gas prices.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions his Department has had with fuel suppliers and retailers on supply to petrol forecourts in Scotland.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with fuel suppliers and retailers across the United Kingdom, including in Scotland, to monitor fuel supply resilience and ensure continued availability at petrol forecourts. Officials maintain close contact with industry stakeholders to assess supply chain conditions, including refinery operations, distribution networks, and retail capacity. These discussions form part of routine market monitoring and contingency planning to identify and mitigate potential disruptions. The Government works closely with industry through established resilience frameworks. We are confident in the UK’s security of fuel supply.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Grangemouth refinery on fuel supply.

Grangemouth refinery was converted into an import terminal in April 2025 and supply in Scotland and the UK have continued as normal. The UK remains well supplied through a combination of domestic production and imports. The UK continues to have sufficient operational refining capacity, including at Fawley, Humber, Pembroke and Stanlow. There has been no disruption to fuel supply, and the Government continues to monitor supply resilience closely.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the escalation of conflict in the Middle East on Industrial Gas prices.

As was the case when Russia invaded Ukraine, the UK will be exposed to price competition in international oil and gas markets, which is pushing up wholesale prices as other countries seek to replace lost supplies from the region. That reflects our position, regardless of our domestic production, as a price taker not a price maker in these markets, leaving us exposed to their volatility, no matter where the fossil fuels come from. On business and industry, we are taking action to expand the British industry supercharger from April to reduce costs for the most energy-intensive businesses, and a significant proportion of businesses are on fixed-term contracts that shield them from market volatility for the contract duration. However, we recognise that at the point of contracting, businesses are exposed to international fossil fuel markets, and clearly, for both businesses and consumers, much will depend on the length of this crisis. Just as we are looking across Government at the situation that households face, the Government are absolutely focused on the impact of the crisis on business and industry, and we will not hesitate to act.

What steps his Department is taking to protect households and businesses from potential increases in energy costs arising from disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Government recognises that households and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further support may be needed. At the Autumn Budget we committed to taking money off energy bills and we have. The energy price cap will provide protection for households until the start of July, regardless of developments in the Middle East. Ofgem has confirmed that the price cap will fall by 7% or £117 annually for the period covering April to June. The price cap for that period is fixed and will not change.In addition to this, around 6 million families are benefitting from the expansion of the £150 Warm Home Discount, and through the Warm Homes Plan the Government is delivering the biggest investment in home upgrades in British history.We’ll shortly publish details of how we will reduce electricity bills by up to 25% for over 7,000 businesses, while our Supercharger package of support will also cut businesses’ electricity costs by up to £420 million per year.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the escalation of conflict in the Middle East on UK oil and liquefied natural gas prices.

The Department is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the impacts for global oil and gas markets. We assess that between February 27th and March 10th, global oil prices (Brent crude) have risen over 20% and gas wholesale prices in Great Britain have risen over 50%.

What conversations he has had with OFGEM about the withdrawal of time-of-use tariffs by some energy providers.

The pricing and availability of tariffs is a matter for suppliers and Ofgem as the independent regulator. At times of extreme volatility in global energy markets suppliers may alter their approach to pricing and tariffs as part of their commercial risk management. Default tariffs remain available and are covered by the Price Cap, which has been confirmed and is now fixed for the period between April and end June 2026.

What steps his Department is taking to expedite long-term investment and skilled jobs at the Grangemouth industrial cluster as part of the transition to net zero.

The UK Government is working closely with the Scottish Government and our investment agencies on options for investment in Grangemouth and have received over 140 enquiries. At the 2025 Autumn Budget, we announced £14.5 million funding to support these projects, complementing the National Wealth Fund’s £200 million commitment for co-investment in Grangemouth. On 11 December 2025, the UK Government awarded up to £1.5 million to MiAlgae to build its first commercial facility at Grangemouth, a biotechnology project expected to create 130 jobs over the next five years. As a condition of the grant funding, eligible Grangemouth oil refinery workers will be given a job interview guarantee. Retaining skilled jobs at Grangemouth is important and we are also funding a ‘training guarantee’ for all Grangemouth refinery staff to receive training to help them into new, good jobs with local employers.

What discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on ensuring economic and skills impacts for communities in Scotland hosting nationally significant energy infrastructure, including grid reinforcement and subsea transmission projects.

The department engages regularly with the Scottish Government to maximise the positive impacts from energy infrastructure investments on local economies and skills. Engagement is both at the ministerial and official level through formal fora such as the Interministerial Group on Net Zero, Energy & Climate Change, Grangemouth Investment Taskforce and ad-hoc when useful. This includes coordinated work on workforce needs such as our joint approach and funding on reskilling Grangemouth employees; coordinating work between the governments on ensuring developers provide community benefits and discussions on network connections.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Clean energy jobs plan, published on 19 October 2025, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of sustainable aviation fuel production at the Grangemouth industrial cluster.

The UK Government is working closely with the Scottish Government on options for investment in Grangemouth supported by the Office for Investment and Scottish Enterprise. This is backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund for co-investment with the private sector, so far we have received over 100 enquiries. In line with the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, the Grangemouth Training Guarantee will support the transition for refinery workers into in-demand industries including into clean energy sectors and future project at Grangemouth. The Department for Transport is supporting the UK sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry through the SAF mandate, providing revenue certainty for SAF producers and the £63 million Advanced Fuels Fund available for SAF producers. Together these measures will give investors confidence to support commercial scale production of SAF in the UK, creating green jobs and developing skills.

When his Department plans to complete its consideration of the relevant Project Willow recommendations.

We are working as quickly as possible to understand what we can do to support investors interested in developing projects at Grangemouth, including what policy or regulatory support is needed to enable investment. The inaugural Grangemouth Investment Taskforce, jointly chaired by the HMG and the Scottish government took place on May 21, 2025, to drive forward potential investment propositions. The National Wealth Fund stands ready, and we encourage investors to come forward to join us in this major opportunity to secure a long-term industrial future in Grangemouth.

Whether his Department considered Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil production facility within the recommendations of Project Willow.

Project Willow – an independent feasibility study led by Ernst and Young and jointly funded by the UK and the Scottish Governments – evaluated over 300 technologies to identify those that could be effectively deployed in Grangemouth. This included options to produce hydrogenated vegetable oil products, such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. We are now ready to take these opportunities forward. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our UK and Scottish Government investment agencies are working together to find investors for clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a renewable liquid heating fuel obligation for off-grid heating fuel suppliers.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expect to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation, which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.

What his Department's timetable is for bringing section 159 of the Energy Act 2023 into force.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expect to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation, which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.

What recent discussions his Department has had with the Grangemouth future industry board.

As per my answer on 8 October 2024, since taking office in July 2024, the Secretary of State and I have taken joint action with the Scottish Government to urgently engage with the company and its shareholders. This included discussions with PetroChina and INEOS, the shareholders. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

How many meetings were held between Petroineos and the UK Government on the future of Grangemouth oil refinery between December 2019 and September 2024.

As per my answer on 8 October 2024, since taking office in July 2024, the Secretary of State and I have taken joint action with the Scottish Government to urgently engage with the company and its shareholders. This included discussions with PetroChina and INEOS, the shareholders. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Government taking a transitional stake in the Grangemouth oil refinery.

Before July, there was no overall plan for the future of the Grangemouth refinery. Within weeks, we worked with the Scottish Government to put together a £100m package to support the community and invest in the local workforce, along with tailored support to secure good, alternative jobs. We launched Project Willow to find an industrial future for the site – identifying nine low-carbon and renewable energy business models that could create 800 jobs by 2040. We are ready to take these forward as co-investment projects with the private sector. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our investment agencies are working to find investors for these proposals and other low carbon and clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area. After the refinery closes, Grangemouth will supply Scotland with imported fuel. We have rigorously assessed Petroineos’ import terminal model to ensure it will provide energy security and resilience for Scotland, and we will continue monitoring to ensure long term confidence for Scottish consumers and businesses.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of using (a) debt and (b) equity from the National Wealth Fund to develop a business case for investment in Project Willow.

Before July, there was no overall plan for the future of the Grangemouth refinery. Within weeks, we worked with the Scottish Government to put together a £100m package to support the community and invest in the local workforce, along with tailored support to secure good, alternative jobs. We launched Project Willow to find an industrial future for the site – identifying nine low-carbon and renewable energy business models that could create 800 jobs by 2040. We are ready to take these forward as co-investment projects with the private sector. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our investment agencies are working to find investors for these proposals and other low carbon and clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area. After the refinery closes, Grangemouth will supply Scotland with imported fuel. We have rigorously assessed Petroineos’ import terminal model to ensure it will provide energy security and resilience for Scotland, and we will continue monitoring to ensure long term confidence for Scottish consumers and businesses.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of Grangemouth oil refinery on national security.

Before July, there was no overall plan for the future of the Grangemouth refinery. Within weeks, we worked with the Scottish Government to put together a £100m package to support the community and invest in the local workforce, along with tailored support to secure good, alternative jobs. We launched Project Willow to find an industrial future for the site – identifying nine low-carbon and renewable energy business models that could create 800 jobs by 2040. We are ready to take these forward as co-investment projects with the private sector. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our investment agencies are working to find investors for these proposals and other low carbon and clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area. After the refinery closes, Grangemouth will supply Scotland with imported fuel. We have rigorously assessed Petroineos’ import terminal model to ensure it will provide energy security and resilience for Scotland, and we will continue monitoring to ensure long term confidence for Scottish consumers and businesses.

What discussions he had with the Scottish Government on the future of Grangemouth oil refinery prior to September 2024.

As per my answer on 8 October 2024, since taking office in July 2024, the Secretary of State and I have taken joint action with the Scottish Government to urgently engage with the company and its shareholders. This included discussions with PetroChina and INEOS, the shareholders. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.