Written questions by Hussain.

If he will publish (a) the 2019 government-commissioned report into the Fishwick external wall insulation scheme and (b) any other reports identifying widespread failure in similar government-backed schemes.

We are aware of unresolved issues with external wall insulation in Fishwick under the Community Energy Savings Programme (a supplier obligation based scheme)The Department will continue to update the House on energy efficiency schemes, including the publication of relevant analysis.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of homes affected by defective insulation installed under government schemes between 2013 and 2021; and if he will commission a national audit of all such properties.

Data has not been collected regarding the specific number of houses affected by non-compliance, however failure rates from audits of individual measures has been collected for some schemes of which a summary is included in the NAO report. For SWI installed under ECO4 and GBIS we have calculated the number of homes affected. We acknowledge that issues have emerged in other schemes, however this is not on the scale seen with EWI issues under ECO4 / GBIS. We have recent published results from audits on our housing association and local authority based schemes on gov.uk.

What plans his Department has to for hydrogen-related funding in (a) Bradford East constituency and (b) West Yorkshire, in the context of his Department's Net Zero Strategy.

The UK Government is committed to supporting the growth of the hydrogen economy through its Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs). In the first hydrogen allocation round (HAR1), announced in December 2023, 11 projects were selected to receive over £2 billion in revenue support for green hydrogen production. Additionally, £90 million in capital grant funding was awarded, with the potential to create up to 760 new jobs. This includes Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen, located in Bradford city centre, which will produce hydrogen for diggers and buses. Published subsidy award details for this project include a Direct Grant of £13 million and £396 million under the Hydrogen Production Business Model. The exact amount of funding will depend on the hydrogen produced at the site over a 15 year period.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of (a) wrongfully installed and (b) defective cavity wall insulation on the energy efficiency of homes.

Cavity wall insulation is one the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures, saving up to £300 a year on occupants’ energy bills. However, Government recognises that there are instances of cavity wall insulation being defective or installed in unsuitable homes which may reduce its energy efficiency performance. As part of the work on the Government’s Warm Homes Plan, we will set out our approach to consumer protection when issues arise with insulation.

If he will include (a) home insulation retrofit schemes, (b) the removal of defective home insulation installed under Government home insulation schemes and (c) measures to promote confidence in green home schemes as objectives to improve energy efficiency in the proposed Great British Energy Bill.

The Great British Energy Bill is focused on making provisions related to the setting up of Great British Energy only. It is intentionally broad in scope so Great British Energy can operate flexibly, responding to any future changes in the energy market. As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant to help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades including insulation, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, to support social housing providers and tenants. More detail will be provided in due course, including our approach to consumer protection when issues arise with insulation.

If he will include support for homeowners in removing and replacing (a) wrongfully installed and (b) defective cavity wall insulation in their homes as part of his warm homes plan.

As part of the work on the Government’s Warm Homes Plan, we will set out our approach to consumer protection when issues arise with insulation.