Written questions by Morris.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using heat networks with thermal storage to provide cheaper flexibility for the electricity system in comparison with lithium battery storage, in the context of the ADE: Heat Network's report “Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks”.

We welcome the research by ADE: Heat Networks, and agree that appropriate deployment of heat networks has the potential to reduce future electricity system costs by billions as we accelerate to net zero. We set out our long-term strategy for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan, and our plan to increase flexible capacity on the grid through the Clean Flexibility Roadmap. Thermal storage in heat networks is location-specific whereas lithium battery storage can be deployed across a range of locations so both technologies will be needed and can offer benefits for the electricity system.

If he will direct the National Energy System Operator to account for the reduced need for offshore wind and solar capacity resulting from heat network expansion in its future strategic planning scenarios, in light of the findings of the ADE: Heat Networks report Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks.

I have met ADE to discuss their research. We welcome the research by ADE: Heat Networks, and agree that appropriate deployment of heat networks has the potential to reduce future electricity system costs by billions as we accelerate to net zero. We set out our long-term strategy for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan in January, and the Department is already working with the National Energy System Operator to ensure its scenarios align with the latest Government policy.

If he will make an assessment of the potential for former coal mining communities to benefit from the estimated £86.5 billion in electricity system savings from heat networks as identified in the ADE: Heat Network's report, Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks.

We welcome the research by ADE: Heat Networks, and agree that appropriate deployment of heat networks has the potential to reduce future electricity system costs by billions as we accelerate to net zero. We set out our long-term strategy for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan, and our plan to increase flexible capacity on the grid through the Clean Flexibility Roadmap. Avoided electricity system investment will benefit all consumers through their electricity bill. Our focus is to explore all options to enable low-carbon heat networks, including in former coal mining communities, to compete fairly with their gas equivalent to boost energy security and lower consumer bills

What delivery mechanisms will be used to implement the Warm Homes Scheme to ensure effective and timely delivery of funding.

The Warm Homes Agency will consolidate the existing delivery landscape and take on delivery of some of the existing schemes. The full scope of the Agency, including delivery mechanisms, is being finalised and will be confirmed in due course.

What steps he is taking to help mitigate potential job losses in the energy efficiency sector and associated supply chains following plans to close the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

We recognise that for those within the ECO supply chain, the decision to close the scheme presents immediate challenges. In the Warm Homes Plan, we committed to supporting the workforce to access opportunities through the £15bn funding and through regulations in the rented sector and for future homes which will support millions of households. We will engage the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities to agree an appropriate regime, in line with procurement law and their existing contractual arrangements, for awarding this new capital funding from April 2026. We have also established the Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce, with the trade unions and the industry, to facilitate the transition to clean energy sectors. The Taskforce will consider how to build resilience in the workforce to meet evolving demand in the market, which includes assessing the knock-on effects of the ECO4 closure.

If he will consider the potential merits of a specific grant scheme for mine water heat projects.

The government is accelerating deployment of low-carbon technologies, including geothermal. Water from coal mines and sewer systems offers strong potential for heat networks. Projects can apply to the Green Heat Network Fund for support. The Mining Remediation Authority has published opportunity maps for geothermal deployment.

What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the release of the investment reserve fund of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

Discussions continue with a view to reaching agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

What recent assessment he has made of the viability of the Wood Group’s North Sea oil and gas contracts.

Wood Group’s North Sea oil and gas contracts are a commercial matter for the company.

If he will discuss the position of contractor employees at Wood Group with trade union signatories to the Energy Services Agreement.

Ministers and officials regularly engage with trade union representatives to discuss a variety of issues.

When he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Building the North Sea’s energy future which closed on 30 April 2025.

DESNZ is currently analysing the responses received. We will publish a government response setting out our next steps in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 38961 on British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, if he will set out the differences between the (a) Mineworkers Pension Scheme and (b) British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme referred to in that Answer.

The schemes operate in different ways. A key difference is that there is no surplus sharing arrangement in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS). The Government is considering proposals put forward by the BCSSS Trustees and needs to understand their impacts for both scheme members and the Government, in the same way as we are doing for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. The Government and BCSSS Trustees are working together to jointly commission analysis so that we can gain that understanding and work towards reaching agreement on a way forward.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a mine water heating grant scheme for community heat networks.

The water from coal mines shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks. The government’s capital schemes for heat network construction, the Heat Networks Investment Project and its successor, the Green Heat Network Fund, have supported heat networks that use mine water. To date, the Gateshead District Energy Scheme and the Seaham Garden Village network in County Durham have both received funding. The ninth application round of the Green Heat Network Fund is currently open and projects which aim to use mine water are welcome to apply.

With reference to the recommendation 10.4 of the report entitled Road fuel market study, published by the Competitions and Markets Authority on 8 July 2023, if he will take steps to introduce a statutory fuel finder scheme.

The Government response to the road fuels consultation published on 30 October 2024 confirmed that the Government will implement the recommendation made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in its Final Road Fuel Market Study to set up a statutory open data scheme for fuel prices, called Fuel Finder. Fuel Finder will increase price transparency and help drivers easily compare prices and find the best deals. This will increase pressure on fuel retailers to compete strongly to attract customers. Subject to legislation and parliamentary timings, we aim to launch Fuel Finder by the end of 2025.

What the process is for signing off the transfer of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment reserve fund back to the trustees to uplift pensions.

Any future agreement on changes to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme would require agreement from His Majesty’s Treasury, the Trustees and my Department.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25410, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions.

I have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter and we will continue to work closely with His Majesty’s Treasury on aspects related to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

When he expects discussions with Mineworkers' Pension Scheme trustees to conclude on the future of the surplus sharing arrangements.

Discussions with the scheme Trustees are ongoing and any announcements will be made in due course.

When he expects discussions with British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme trustees to conclude on the transfer of the investment reserve fund.

I met with the Chair and Trustee representatives of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) on 16 December where they outlined their proposals for changes to the Scheme. We will work with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals once the new Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme arrangements have been agreed.

Whether he plans to meet with British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme trustees again to discuss progress on the transfer of the investment reserve fund.

Further work on the future of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme will require close working with the scheme Trustees.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25410, what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions.

I have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter and we will continue to work closely with His Majesty’s Treasury on aspects related to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the marginal pricing system on consumer electricity bills.

With marginal pricing, the price of electricity is set by the last technology needed to meet overall demand. The marginal price reflects the value of generating an additional unit of electricity at any given time. This ensures that generators increase or decrease their output to meet demand and incentivises them to make efficiency improvements to remain competitive in electricity markets and keep costs down for consumers. As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is also considering what further steps can be taken to protect consumers from the impacts of potential price spikes.