Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gregory Stafford this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–15 of 15 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Whether his Department has considered the potential impact of alternative rooftop land uses, including solar panels and energy infrastructure, on the (a) valuation of properties hosting telecommunications equipment and (b) landowners’ willingness to continue hosting mobile network infrastructure.
No assessment has been made.
Whether his Department has assessed the potential impact of the removal, relocation and temporary decommissioning of rooftop telecommunications equipment as part of programmes to install rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and other energy infrastructure on mobile network coverage, including 5G.
No assessment has been made.
What steps he is taking to help ensure that investors in the Feed-in Tariff scheme continue to receive payments in line with their original contracts.
The Feed-in Tariffs scheme continues to operate within the statutory framework established by the Feed-in Tariffs Order 2012. Recent confirmed changes to inflation indexation of the scheme will apply to existing generators. Generators will continue to receive inflation-indexed payments for the full duration of their support period.
What discussions he has had with Ofgem on (a) reducing delays in the processing time for payments made under the Feed-in Tariff scheme and (b) improving the confidence of private investors for that scheme.
Under the Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme suppliers are required to make FIT payments no less than quarterly. The Government engages regularly with Ofgem, as administrator of the scheme, to keep its operation under review and ensure it continues to function effectively. The Government recognises that regulatory stability is essential to maintaining an attractive investment environment. The Government also considers it appropriate to undertake periodic reviews of schemes to ensure they continue to provide value for money for the households and businesses that fund this support.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that high-emission industries contribute fairly to funding climate recovery and adaptation.
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme ensures that high-emitting sectors like power pay a fair price for the emissions they produce. ETS participants must buy allowances to cover their emissions, with revenues supporting government priorities including climate change mitigation and adaptation. The carbon price faced by businesses covered also drives them to invest in decarbonising their operations – over half say it has prompted them to invest in decarbonisation. We are expanding the scheme to the energy from waste and maritime sectors.
What assessment he has made of the extent to which oil and gas companies operating in the UK contribute to the costs of climate-related damage.
The North Sea Transition Authority enforces compliance with the North Sea Transition Deal to ensure the oil and gas sector halves its emissions by 2030 and achieves net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the UK’s carbon budget. The targets will be achieved through initiatives including the industry’s Methane Action Plan which includes a 50% methane reduction target by 2030. The Government also published in June supplementary environmental impact assessment guidance. The guidance marks a step forward in ensuring the full environmental impact of oil and gas extraction - including end use emissions - is considered for offshore projects.
What steps he is taking to support residents of rural 1950s properties to use alternative fuels to heat their homes; and if he will take steps to reduce the VAT rate on fuel for those unable to install heat pumps.
For most off-grid properties, transitioning to clean heat will involve installing a heat pump as these are cost-effective, proven technologies. The Government expect sustainable biomass to be prioritised where there are limited alternatives for decarbonisation. 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. The tax treatment of renewable liquid fuels is a matter for Treasury.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of zonal electricity pricing on pensioners in the south of England.
The Government is considering reforms through the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) to transition to a secure and decarbonised electricity system at lowest cost and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers. We will provide an update in due course.
What assessment he has made on the potential impact of solar radiation modification on the environment.
The Government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification. Given the significant uncertainty around the possible risks and impacts of deployment on the climate and environment, the Government is not deploying SRM and has no plans to do so. The Department works closely with the research community to evaluate the latest research on the potential impact of solar radiation modification on the environment.
If he will make an estimate of the potential impact of GB Energy on the cost of energy bills.
Great British Energy is a key part of the government's mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by achieving clean power by 2030. This is part of a sustainable, long-term plan to protect all UK billpayers from volatile international gas markets. In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a Tiered Energy Proposal for consumer energy bills.
A tiered energy pricing system is known as a block tariff. Traditionally, block tariffs are either a rising block tariff where the cost of energy increases in increments the more energy used or, a falling block tariff which acts in reverse. Low energy users benefit more from a rising block tariff and high energy users benefit from a falling block tariff. Since the introduction of the energy price cap in 2018, suppliers can choose to offer block tariffs as a competitive incentive for their business model. Ofgem, in their recent call for input on standing charges, asked about block tariffs, and feedback from consumer representatives and charities was mixed. As part of Ofgem’s continued work on standing charges, they are seeking views on options including increasing tariff diversity in the market, which could include block tariffs.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of involving Adlar Ltd in the rollout of the Government's Warm Homes Plan.
The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. Heat pumps will play a vital role in delivering the Government's Warm Homes Plan, and further details on the Plan will be set out in due course.
What steps his Department is taking with OFGEM to coordinate grant funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a demand led scheme, which provides grants up to £7,500, to encourage property owners to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon heating systems. Installers apply for and redeem the voucher on behalf of a property owner, to streamline the customer journey. Ofgem, as scheme administrator, issue and process vouchers providing all eligibility criteria is met, in accordance with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2022 regulations.
For what reason grant funding for Adlar Limited was paused.
The Government is responsible for setting the policy which underpins the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Ofgem as the scheme administrator make decisions on scheme eligibility in line with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2022 Regulations.
If he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of net zero policies since 2000.
The Net Zero transition is critical to sustainable UK growth because of the economic costs of unmitigated climate change. The Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its analysis of the cost of reaching net zero by 2050 in chapter 3 of the July 2021 edition of its UK Fiscal Risk Report. As the OBR has noted, “the costs of failing to get climate change under control would be much larger than those of bringing emissions down to net zero.”