Written questions by Kirkham.

What assessment he has made of the number of rural properties that will struggle to reach the minimum EPC C rating by the 2030 deadline for all rental properties.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to take steps with the National Wealth Fund to provide funding for heat networks in rural and coastal areas such as Cornwall.

The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) supports new and existing heat networks across England and Wales to adopt low carbon technologies. Applicants to the scheme are also encouraged to seek financing options from the National Wealth Fund and can opt to have their project information shared with the Fund for them to consider potential support. Heat network developers in coastal areas can contact the GHNF delivery partner, Triple Point Heat Networks, or consult the scheme guidance (Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF): Round 11 application guidance - GOV.UK) for further information.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of making Cornwall a priority area for strategic heat network zoning.

Heat network zoning, due to come into force later this year, will grant new powers to local government to accelerate heat network development in areas where they will be the most affordable heating solution. We will support at least ten locations to establish their heat network zones soon after Heat Network Zoning Regulations go live. We will announce locations in due course which will be a result of assessing locations across England. Longer term DESNZ is looking to develop its pipeline of future zones, inviting strategic and local authorities to submit information by 29 May 2026.

Whether the Future Homes Standard will make solar batteries mandatory on new build homes.

Batteries aren’t mandated under the Future Homes and Buildings Standards because Building Regulations set performance‑based outcomes and do not mandate specific technologies. This ensures flexibility for developers and avoids locking in solutions that may not be suitable in every setting. Battery storage is permitted and encouraged, and we continue to welcome ambitious developers who choose to go further than the minimum requirements.

What steps his Department will take to ensure high levels of UK content in tidal stream projects.

The Government continues to engage with the tidal stream industry to support high levels of UK content in projects, which currently stands at around 80 per cent, including through the Marine Energy Taskforce’s sub group on supply chains.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changing the inflation indexation calculation for the Renewable Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) schemes from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on existing renewable-energy system owners.

The Government has consulted on proposed changes to how support provided through the Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Obligation schemes is adjusted for inflation. The consultation was accompanied by an analytical annex which set out the potential impacts of the policy. Updated analysis will be published alongside the Government Response next year.

With reference to his Department's policy paper on the UK methane action plan, published on 29 October 2025, what his planned timeline is for implementing a transitional support mechanism for landfill gas to energy operators supported by the RO scheme.

Government is aware that support under the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme will end for existing landfill gas generators from April 2027, which could affect the commercial viability of these generators. We recognise the importance of providing commercial clarity to the sector and will provide an update in the new year. That is why, as set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, Government is exploring the implementation of long-term methane capture schemes, with suitable transitional arrangements. We recognise the importance of providing commercial clarity to the sector and will provide an update in the new year.

What his ambitions for tidal stream are in the upcoming renewable auction.

Tidal stream continues to be eligible for our main support mechanism for low-carbon electricity, the Contracts for Difference scheme, through which over 120 MW of capacity has already been secured. The parameters for Allocation Round 7 were published in July, and the budget for technologies including tidal stream will be confirmed later this year.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits in recognising the role of renewable liquid fuels in decarbonising off-gas-grid households.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the government expects it to be prioritised where there are limited alternatives for decarbonisation. Renewable liquid heating fuels (RLHFs) are also more expensive to use than other heating solutions. However, the government recognises that RLHFs could play a limited role in decarbonising off-gas grid homes. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of RLHFs, the government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.

What steps he is taking with energy suppliers to help prevent large increases in energy bill direct debits.

Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain and works to protect energy consumers and ensure they are treated fairly. Under the terms of Ofgem’s Standard Licence Conditions, customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately. If a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. 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 bring down energy bills, and therefore direct debits, permanently.

With reference to the GB Energy founding statement, published on 25 July 2024, when Local Power Plans will be published.

The Local Power Plan is a joint strategy between GBE and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This document will outline our shared long-term vision for the local and community energy sector: to drive the growth of locally-owned renewable energy projects and support efforts to unlock cleaner, cheaper and more resilient power at the community level. This will give communities a direct stake in the transition to net zero. We are continuing to develop the Local Power Plan with GBE and other key stakeholders and updates on publication will be provided soon.

What steps he plans to take to support landlords to meet the deadline for all rental properties to have an EPC C minimum rating by 2030.

The Government recognises that most landlords strive to provide decent homes, which is why we are proposing stronger standards for the entire sector, to make sure they are not undercut by those providing substandard properties. Around half of properties already meet the current standard of EPC C. Support is currently available to private landlords to improve their properties through a range of schemes, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump, as well as the Warm Homes: Local Grant which launched this year. We are also exploring the role the finance sector may play in scaling up and mobilising low-cost lending.

If he will bring forward his planned timeline for consulting on the future of the Renewables Obligation Certificate scheme.

A number of generating stations under the Renewables Obligation scheme come to the end of their support in 2027. The Government is aware that may affect their commercial viability. We are assessing the impact that the end of support will have on security of supply, clean power 2030 and the environment. No decisions have been made on future support.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing listed building owners to install uPVC double glazing to improve energy efficiency.

Changes to improve the energy efficiency of a listed building need to be sensitive to the character, appearance and specific characteristics of the building depending on individual circumstances. Listed buildings are generally exempt from energy efficiency requirements where compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the existing building. Further guidance on improving the energy efficiency of windows of listed buildings can be found on the Historic England website. Accompanying link: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/retrofit-and-energy-efficiency-in-historic-buildings/modifying-windows-and-doors-in-historic-buildings/

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using renewable liquid fuels to help oil-heated households decarbonise.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expects to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels (RLHF) are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions. However, the Government recognises that RLHFs could play a limited role in decarbonising heat off the gas grid.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of decisions taken by the (a) Scottish Government, (b) Northern Ireland Executive and (c) Republic of Ireland Government to commit to using renewable liquid fuels as a key part of their decarbonisation strategies.

Although heat policy is a devolved matter, policies relating to the supply of fuels (including renewable liquid heating fuels) are reserved. Officials work closely with the Devolved Governments when developing UK Government policies and will be considering these nations’, and the Republic of Ireland’s, decarbonisation strategies’ impact on future policies.

What steps he is taking to help maintain the landfill gas to energy sector.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including landfill gas generators. Officials are continuing to assess the impact that the end of Renewables Obligation support will have on security of supply, clean power 2030 and the environment, and we are working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider options. No decisions have been made on future support for landfill gas generators.

What steps he is taking to make it (a) easier and (b) cheaper for people who live in (i) listed buildings and (ii) conservation areas to make their homes more energy efficient.

The cross-government review of the barriers to adapt and retrofit listed buildings and homes in conservation areas (www.gov.uk/government/publications/adapting-historic-homes-for-energy-efficiency-a-review-of-the-barriers) was published in January 2024. This sets out the core challenges faced by homeowners and the actions government is taking to overcome barriers. Changes to Permitted Development Rights in England, announced recently, will enable more air source heat pumps to be installed in homes, including those in conservation areas. The Government has committed an initial £3.4bn over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency as part of the Warm Homes Plan. Further details will be set out in due course.

What body is responsible for (a) coordination and (b) delivery of floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea.

The Crown Estate’s Leasing Round 5 will bring forward up to 4.5GW of floating offshore wind capacity in the Celtic Sea in addition to the five Test and Demonstration projects currently in development. The partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate announced the potential to deploy up to a further 12GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, of which 4-10GW could be leased to developers by 2030. The Government will work closely with developers and The Crown Estate to support the delivery of floating offshore wind projects across the UK, including in the Celtic Sea.

What steps he plans to take to ensure that the delivery of floating offshore wind demonstration projects in the Celtic Sea.

The Government is working with industry to accelerate ways the Contracts for Difference scheme and other energy policies can be expanded to deliver the clean energy superpower mission. The Government recognises the important role that Test and Demonstration projects, including in the Celtic Sea, could play in securing learnings, developing infrastructure, and building sector confidence to enable cost-effective commercial scale floating offshore wind projects in future. The Clean Industry Bonus further underscores the Government’s commitment to the technology, in particular the minimum budget to be set aside for investment in floating offshore wind supply chain to help drive investment into the sector.