Written questions by McMurdock.

Whether his Department has plans to increase funding to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) budget is negotiated by parties on a biennium basis. The 2024-2025 budget was agreed in 2023, and this year parties will negotiate the budget for 2026-2027. The UK has historically advocated for a core budget that is in line with the needs of the UNFCCC and reflects the increase in mandates from the parties. This position was reflected in the UK's 2024 contributions, and the recently delivered 2025 core and supplementary budget contributions. The Government is assessing our position for the upcoming biennium negotiations alongside our broader negotiating objectives.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the cost of electricity bills.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past. The Government recognises that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Homes Discount to over 3 million households in fuel poverty this winter. In addition, I have also been working with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million winter support package to help customers struggling with bills this winter. I urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Norwich to Tilbury National Grid pylon project on house prices in the affected areas.

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices. However, landowners, businesses, and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation.

What discussions he has had with the National Grid on their proposed Norwich to Tilbury pylon project.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What steps he has taken to ensure that local communities were engaged in the public consultation period of the proposed National Grid Norwich-Tilbury pylon project.

In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities before they submit applications for consent. As part of their application for the Norwich to Tilbury project National Grid are required to engage with local communities and to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into the project. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of Great British Energy on the cost of energy bills paid by farmers.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave him to Question UIN 22545.

What trading schemes are (a) operational and (b) planned under the terms of Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

The operational trading schemes under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA) are the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, launched in 2021, and the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes, launched in 2024. A review of the UK ETS was published in December 2023. A consultation on the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes was published in December 2024. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly the Carbon Reduction Commitment) was previously established under Part 3 of the CCA, but there have been no CRC surrender obligations since October 2019 and all legal requirements for the scheme regulator end on 31 March 2025.

What estimate he has made of the cost to (a) consumers and (b) the public purse of the Sustainable Industry Reward scheme in each of the next five years.

The Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) has superseded Sustainable Industry Rewards. Like the rest of the Contracts for Difference scheme, it will be funded by the existing levy on consumer bills. It will drive much needed investment in supply chains, including into new factories. For the first round of CIBs (starting in 2025), aggregate consumer bill impact is estimated to be in the region of c.£1-2 per year for two years, giving rise to a total bill impact of around £2-4 for the round. Impact for future rounds will depend on the timing and scale of those rounds which has yet to be decided.

Whether the position of Head of Mission Control, Net Zero is a full-time role.

The Head of Mission Control is a full-time role.

If he will make an estimate of the potential impact of GB Energy on the cost of energy bills paid by farmers.

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, including farmers, 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.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of large electricity pylons on housing prices.

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices. Landowners, businesses and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation. More broadly, government is committed to ensuring that communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits and is currently considering how to deliver this most effectively.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of electricity pylons on wildlife.

Developers of electricity transmission projects and all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of projects’ impacts on the environment and habitats through Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. Additionally, developers engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered in project proposals. All of this is considered in the independent and robust project assessment process.

What recent discussions his Department has had with National Grid about the estimated cost of the Norwich-to-Tilbury pylon project.

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of large electricity pylons on (a) green spaces and (b) ancient woodlands.

Developers of electricity transmission projects and all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of projects’ impacts on the environment and habitats through Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. Additionally, developers engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered in project proposals. All of this is considered in the independent and robust project assessment process.

If he will meet the hon. Member for South Basildon and East Thurrock to discuss pylons.

The design and development of electricity transmission infrastructure is the responsibility of developers. Government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities can participate in. Given the Secretary of State’s role in determining consent for Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects, it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to discuss any specific projects, so as not to prejudice this process.

What steps he is taking to support disabled households with the cost of energy.

The Government believes that the only way to permanently protect billpayers, including disabled households, is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy and reduce our reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets. Whilst we make this transition, the Government is committed to ensuring vulnerable households are supported with their energy bills. We are looking at all options on how to make energy bills more affordable for these households. In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 annual rebate on energy bills for eligible low-income households. We are also working with energy suppliers to ensure they are providing additional support to vulnerable customers that are struggling with bills.