Written questions by Hamilton.

Whether his Department plans to commission an independent review of the (a) carbon capture and storage programme and (b) associated cluster model ahead of the next Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.

Currently, we do not plan to commission an independent review into the CCUS programme. The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority provides oversight of the Programme as a Government’s Major Projects Portfolio, through Gateway Reviews and reporting. In 2024, the Programme was subject to a National Audit Office review and subsequently a Public Accounts Committee hearing. Internally, we continue to evaluate our work and to ensure we are delivering value for money to taxpayers. We will publish a report setting out our plan to meet carbon budgets in October. This will set out the policies and proposals that will enable the UK to meet Carbon Budgets 4-6 and will reflect the role that CCUS will play in meeting these targets.

Whether he plans to include costed policies to meet the (a) fourth, (b) fifth and (c) sixth carbon budget as part of the forthcoming climate action plan.

Under the Climate Change Act 2008, this plan must set out this government’s package of policies and proposals needed to deliver carbon budgets 4-6. By October 2025 we will deliver an updated plan out to the end of carbon budget 6 in 2037.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 41000 on Energy Supplies: Radio Frequencies, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of evidence gathered from (a) Germany, (b) Ireland, (c) Spain and (d) Brazil, who have already adopted radio spectrum access for the energy system.

Ofcom is responsible for allocating and authorising radio spectrum in the United Kingdom. As part of its ongoing work, Ofcom has undertaken preparatory steps to explore the potential need for spectrum to support private communications networks in the energy sector. This included publishing a Call for Input (CFI) to help identify suitable spectrum bands, should such a solution be required in the UK. In assessing the options, Ofcom considered international spectrum harmonisation efforts as well as approaches taken by other national administrations. A brief evaluation of each identified spectrum band was also provided within the CFI.

What steps he is taking to support the rollout of enhanced operational communications enabled by dedicated radio spectrum access for the UK's energy distribution and transmission networks.

Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. Officials are working with those in in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with regulators to help establish the evidence base for the future telecommunications requirements of the energy, water and transport sectors.

Whether he is taking steps to support Property Linked Finance to help homeowners to install (a) domestic renewables and (b) energy efficiency measures.

Green finance can play a key role in helping achieve our home decarbonisation ambitions. Through the Warm Homes Plan, the Department is exploring the role private financing can play in supporting homeowners to meet the upfront costs of installing domestic renewables and fabric energy efficiency improvements. As part of that work, Government is assessing the role novel finance models, including Property Linked Finance and Heat-as-a-Service, can play in addressing homeowner needs. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan, including future financing support for households, will be confirmed in due course.

If his Department will include measures to increase low carbon and renewable energy schemes (a) owned and (b) part owned by community organisations in the Great British Energy Bill.

As set out in the Founding Statement, Great British Energy will support Local and Combined Authorities and Community Energy Groups to develop up to 8GW of cleaner power by 2030 through small and medium‑scale renewable energy projects. Community-owned low carbon and renewable energy schemes are already in the scope of the Great British Energy Bill, however, as Great British Energy will be operationally independent, it will be for the company to decide the activities it engages in. Such decisions will be determined in due course and influenced by available opportunities, as well as the strategic priorities that government sets out.