Every parliamentary written question tabled by John Hayes this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 101 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Whether the UK has imported (a) wood pellets and (b) other biomass from Afghanistan in the last 10 years.
The UK does not import wood pellets or biomass from Afghanistan for fuel or electricity generation. There are no plans to import wood pellets or biomass from Afghanistan.
Whether (a) wood pellets and (b) other biomass has been imported from North Korea in the last 10 years.
The UK does not import wood pellets or biomass from North Korea for fuel or electricity generation. There are no plans to import wood pellets or biomass from North Korea.
Whether his Department has made an estimate of the carbon footprint of importing wood pellets in the last 10 years.
Emissions from importing wood pellets are constrained by biomass sustainability requirements. The supply chain emissions threshold for large scale biomass electricity generators to receive support is capped at 55.6gCO2e/MJ. This threshold will be tightened further under proposed future arrangements with Drax to 36.6 gCO2e/MJ. Compliance with sustainability criteria under the Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference schemes are a matter for Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, and LCCC, as the counterparty to the CfD. Large scale biomass generators, such as Drax, do also publish emissions data as part of their annual ESG reports.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of pylons in the Grimsby to Walpole project on the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Government does not make assessments of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) unless they are submitted to the relevant Secretary of State for a final decision. Currently this project is at the pre-application stage. As for all NSIPs the developer should comprehensively assess the potential effects of their proposals within their application. This includes assessments of their project’s potential effects on landscape, visual character, and ecological integrity as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. The scope of any assessment should be agreed between the applicant, relevant statutory consultees, and the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the relevant Secretary of State.
How much his Department spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last three years.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero does not hold this information centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Whether his Department has made an estimate of how many and what proportion of solar panels installed in the UK in the last five years were made (a) in the UK and (b) in China.
The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
What estimate his Department has made of the number of homes in Lincolnshire that are below EPC band C.
The information requested is not held by the Department.
What steps his Department is taking to help improve the energy efficiency of older housing stock in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.
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, including those within the South Holland and the Deepings constituency and Lincolnshire. The Government will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. We are investing £13.2 billion to help upgrade millions of homes and cut energy bills for families across the country to tackle to cost of living crisis. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
What estimate he has made of the number of compulsory purchase orders that will be required in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire as part of the Grimsby to Walpole grid upgrade.
The Planning Act 2008 includes provisions for the compulsory acquisition of land as part of Development Consent Orders (DCO). Decisions on whether to grant compulsory purchase orders (CPO) are made by the Secretary of State as part of the decision to grant a DCO. When doing so, the Secretary of State will assess whether the case for compulsory acquisition meets the requirements set out in the Planning Act 2008. Until the DCO application comes to the Secretary of State for a decision, no estimate can be made of the number of CPOs required as part of the Grimsby to Walpole grid upgrade scheme.
If he will ban solar radiation management technologies.
The Government position is that it is not deploying solar radiation management technologies and has no plans in place to do so. The government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Grimsby to Walpole pylon project on (a) farm and (b) wild animals on the route.
Developers of the Grimsby to Walpole project, like all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales, are required to assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of the project's potential effects on the environment, including farmland and wild animals, through Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. Developers also engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, including farmers and environmental organisations, through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into project proposals. The government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.
What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will shortly launch a Talent Strategy in which apprenticeships play a central role in building the delivery capability DESNZ needs to be a mission-focused department. The department has a well-established apprenticeship offer, with around 84 apprentices currently in post. As part of the Talent Strategy, we will increase the range and number of apprenticeships we offer by: launching a social mobility apprenticeship programme, focused on supporting actively unemployed individuals into employment through apprenticeshipsincreasing opportunities for school leavers, including participating in the new Careers Launch Apprenticeship programmeexpanding the apprenticeship offer by procuring new contracts in priority capability areas The Department has a core apprenticeship offer available to all staff and continues to onboard apprentices through centralised programmes run by the Civil Service Apprenticeship Unit and other initiatives. DESNZ is committed to creating early career opportunities for both current and new apprentices.
What estimate his Department has made of the level of investment by Chinese firms in the UK energy sector in the next ten years.
We work very closely with industry and across government to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in energy infrastructure. Foreign involvement in energy infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny, with my department working across government to monitor and guard against any potential security risks in the energy sector and its supply chain. As stated in the Integrated Review Refresh, a positive trading relationship benefits both the UK and China, and we continue to recognise the importance of trade and investment from China where it is safe, reciprocal and mutually beneficial.
Whether his Department has made an estimate of the projected carbon emissions resulting from steel imports in the next three years.
The Department estimates future greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide) on a territorial basis, meaning emissions that occur within UK borders. This is the approach required by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UK’s Climate Change Act 2008. The latest estimate is published here: Energy and emissions projections - GOV.UK. Defra publishes consumption-based emissions statistics, calculated by the University of Leeds, which include emissions associated with imported goods and services. This can be found here: Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK.
Whether Ofgem has offered apprenticeships in each year since 2010.
The Civil Service is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services.Ofgem gives access to the apprenticeship levy for professional qualifications, and this has been available for existing employees since the levy was introduced.Ofgem has made use of the apprenticeship levy in its workforce since 2017 and recruitment data, where available, has been provided below in Ofgem’s annual reports and accounts: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/about-us/ofgem-annual-reports.
Whether his Department has held discussions with representatives of Heathrow Airport on energy infrastructure for the airport in the last three years.
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Households near new pylons to save hundreds on energy bills, published on 10 March 2025, whether the Grimsby to Walpole Grid Upgrade will be in scope; and how many (a) households and (b) landowners will receive financial support along the route.
The bill discount scheme will apply to eligible domestic properties and is planned to go live from 2026 once regulations have been laid, when Parliamentary time allows. Eligibility will be set out in regulations, but our aim is that major new transmission projects needed for 2030 will be eligible. Further impact analysis will be conducted prior to scheme introduction. The Government has also published community funds guidance, which could apply to transmission projects yet to start construction. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-transmission-infrastructure-proposed-bill-discount-schemehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-transmission-network-infrastructure-community-funds
How many households used the radio teleswitch service for their energy meter connections in Lincolnshire in the latest period for which data is available.
The Department does not hold unitary authority or county level data on the number of remaining RTS meters. However, we are regularly engaging with energy suppliers, Ofgem and the industry body Energy UK to review local plans for the switch-off. Energy suppliers have contacted all premises with RTS meters and Ofgem is encouraging customers to book an appointment to ensure they are provided with a replacement meter ahead of the switch-off.
If (a) his Department and (b) Ofgem will make an estimate of the cost of the construction of (i) National Grid's proposed Grimsby to Walpole pylon scheme and (ii) alternative schemes to transmitting electricity on the route including underground cabling.
The Department cannot comment on specific projects which will come before the Secretary of State for a final planning decision. It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission - to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route. Ofgem reviews proposed project costs and ensures that network companies spend efficiently, protecting consumers from unduly high costs. In general, undergrounding costs an estimated 5 to 10 times more than overhead lines. The cost of building this infrastructure is borne by electricity bill payers so it is key we keep costs down.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Great British Energy on household energy bills in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.
In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee energy security and protect billpayers is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. That is why government has a mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. We have a sustainable, long-term plan to protect all UK billpayers, including households in South Hollands and the Deepings, and in Lincolnshire more widely, from volatile international gas markets. Backed by £8.3 billion, Great British Energy is part of this plan, driving the deployment of the clean, homegrown energy we need to boost our energy independence. As a publicly-owned company, Great British Energy will ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, and communities reap the benefits of this.