Written questions by Amos.

What targeted guidance is available to medically vulnerable people who cannot safely reduce their heating use.

The Government’s fuel poverty strategy seeks to ensure households are supported to achieve warm homes at an affordable cost. The UK Health Security Agency has produced guidance for the public on how to keep warm and well at home, which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-warm-keep-well-leaflet-gives-advice-on-staying-healthy-in-cold-weatherThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has produced guidance to reduce the health risks associated with cold homes, which is available at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng6The audiences for this include people who may have health problems related to living in a cold home, as well as their families and carers.Financial support schemes are also available to help some vulnerable groups with their energy bills, including the Warm Home Discount and the Cold Weather Payment. People may also be able to access support to pay energy bills from their local council through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.Vulnerable individuals can also join their energy supplier’s Priority Services Register, through which they can receive extra advice and support.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to energy infrastructure planning application fees on (a) network operator costs and (b) consumer bills.

The Government has proposed a fully cost-reflective charging regime for its energy infrastructure planning application fees, in order to place this function on a sustainable footing for the future as application volumes increase. The Government is currently assessing the responses to the public consultation that ran from 16 December 2025 to 1 February 2026, which included specific questions on cost impacts. This assessment will pay particular regard to the evidence provided by respondents on network operator costs and impacts on bills.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that network operators do not bear the cost of the necessary wayleave process when landowners serve notices to remove electricity infrastructure.

Government recognises that Network Operators play an important public service role in developing and maintaining an efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity distribution and transmission – this includes securing the necessary permissions to install and maintain electric lines. These costs, including any costs associated with applying for a Necessary Wayleave, are not borne directly by Network Operators, but rather passed onto consumer energy bills through Ofgem regulated network charges.

Whether he plans to review the technical definition of hydraulic fracturing in respect of (a) volume thresholds and (b) geological conditions to prevent onshore oil and gas extraction operations from circumventing the current moratorium on fracking.

Proppant squeezes are not currently defined in legislation as high volume hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction. We are committed to banning fracking for good and any future decision on national planning policy for fracking will take into account all volumes of hydraulic fracturing.

What steps he plans to take to prohibit new onshore fossil fuel extraction.

The Government has committed to not issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields while managing existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan. On 1 October, the Secretary of State announced legislation to end new onshore oil and gas licensing in England. The Government’s consultation which closed earlier this year, sought views on how it should implement these commitments. It will respond in due course.

Whether his Department plans to increase British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme pensions in line with the changes made to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.

The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) has some differences to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, but we will be working with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals. Any outcome will need to be agreed with the Trustees and the Treasury following analysis of the potential impacts.

What his Department's timetable is for publishing a consultation on the placement of solar canopies on outdoor carparks.

The Government will this year be publishing a Call for Evidence on the potential to drive solar canopies on carparks over a certain size, as announced in the Clean Power Action Plan.

What estimate she has made of the number of additional homes that will need to apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme as a result of delays to the implementation of the Future Homes Standard.

Future standards this year will ensure our new homes and buildings are fit for a net zero future. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is reviewing feedback from the Future Homes and Building Standards consultation and will publish the standard specification in due course. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a demand-led scheme, so uptake will depend on consumers' interest.

What estimate she has made of the number of heat pumps that will be required to be retrofitted to properties as a result of delays to the implementation of the Future Homes Standard.

Future standards this year will ensure our new homes and buildings are fit for a net zero future. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is reviewing feedback from the consultation and will publish the standard specification in due course.

If he will bring forward proposals to mandate rooftop solar generation through the construction of canopies over car parks.

The increased deployment of rooftop solar is at the heart of the Government’s clean energy mission. As set out in the Clean Power Action Plan, the Government will assess the potential of solar canopies in car parks by launching a call for evidence on the issue. We expect to publish the call for evidence shortly.

If he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to develop enhanced tariffs to incentivise rooftop solar generation.

Incentivising rooftop solar is at the heart of the clean energy mission. Actions to support further deployment will be included in the Solar Roadmap, due to be published shortly.