Written questions by Newbury.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of battery enabled boilers could make on decarbonising domestic heating in smaller homes.

Heat batteries, sometimes referred to as ‘battery enabled boilers’, can utilise time-of-use tariffs and do not require outside space; however, they are less efficient than heat pumps. Heat batteries could meet the needs of some smaller homes, however if they do not have sufficient storage capacity they could draw electricity at peak times, adding burden on the electricity network and increasing energy bills. Government will continue to review our position on heat batteries, as the supporting evidence base develops, including considering evidence from the Homes for Net Zero project.

What proportion of vehicles rented by his Department are electric vehicles.

In FY24-25, DESNZ had 149 hires, including 6 electric vehicles. The data for FY25-26 to date is not yet available. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was formed in February 2023, therefore there is no data for DESNZ prior to that date. Additionally, for FY23-24 the car hire contract used was still under DESNZ’s predecessor department, Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and all bookings were assigned to BEIS cost centres. It is not possible to determine which of these hires related to DESNZ.

What steps his Department is taking to support the production of biomethane on farms using organic waste.

The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) provides tariff-support for biomethane produced via anaerobic digestion (AD) and injected into the gas grid. It is expected to contribute 10.7MTCO2e of carbon savings over its lifetime. The GGSS requires that at least 50% of all biomethane, by energy content, is produced using waste feedstocks, which includes agricultural wastes. The GGSS will close to new applicants on 31 March 2028. To follow this, the Government is developing a holistic policy framework to support the growth of the biomethane sector. The new framework includes consideration to the role of AD in treating agricultural wastes.

What plans his Department has to use biomethane generated from mandatory food waste collections from 2026-27 for (a) injection into the gas grid and (b) combustion for electricity generation.

The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) provides tariff-support for biomethane produced via anaerobic digestion (AD) and injected into the gas grid. It is expected to contribute 10.7MTCO2e of carbon savings over its lifetime. The GGSS requires that at least 50% of all biomethane, by energy content, is produced using waste feedstocks. In England, we expect that food waste collected due to Simpler Recycling reforms will constitute a significant portion of AD feedstocks. Food waste can also be used in AD Combined Heat and Power systems to produce electricity, with support provided through a number of the Department’s renewable electricity schemes.

How many recipients of pensions under the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme in Cannock Chase constituency will be affected by the Government's return of money from the investment reserve fund to the scheme.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 November to Question UIN 12551.

How many (a) pensioners and (b) dependents are recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Cannock Chase constituency.

We are unable to provide the breakdown requested. However, information from the trustees shows that, as at October 2024, the number of pensioner and dependant members in Cannock Chase was 530.

What assessment his Department has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for increasing the number of heat pump installations.

Up to the end of August 2024, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has paid out 32,572 vouchers towards low carbon heating systems. The Government is carrying out an independent evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with its first set of interim findings due to be published in due course.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) returning the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme investment reserve to scheme members and (b) commissioning a review into future investment reserve surplus sharing arrangements.

The Government has ended the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) and agreed the transfer the Investment Reserve Fund to members, so that the mineworkers who powered our country receive a fairer pension. The resulting bonus will increase pensions by 32% and should start to be paid in November. The Government will soon start talks with the MPS Trustees on the future arrangements for surplus sharing.

What steps his Department is taking to help decarbonise the gas grid.

The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan. Gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, and a reliable gas network is essential to support the transition. We are also working with industry to support low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and bio methane.

Whether his Department plans to introduce (a) low- and (b) no-cost finance for domestic energy efficiency measures in its Warm Homes Plan.

The Government recognises the important role private finance can play in helping us achieve our decarbonisation ambitions.As part of the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring the role of incentives and private finance to support homeowners with the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating. These are upgrades that will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run. Officials are also exploring options for working with the private sector, including banks and building societies. We will set out further detail on delivering our Warm Homes Plan in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle fraud in the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

The Department works with the scheme administrator, Ofgem, to investigate and address any suspected misconduct under the ECO scheme. Dedicated work is ongoing on external assurance to review processes and procedures, and strengthening of fraud controls in future scheme design. Ofgem has dedicated teams working on counter fraud and whistleblowing. Ofgem leads on detection, prevention, deterrence, and takes action where there is evidence of fraud. If evidence of potential fraud is found, Ofgem engages with relevant authorities, such as Action Fraud. Additionally, TrustMark works with the department and Ofgem to engage with scheme providers to address and mitigate such activities.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential cost to the public purse of decommissioning the gas grid.

The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan. Gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, and a reliable gas network is essential to support the transition. We are also working with industry to support low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and bio methane.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of creating a single service to advise households on (a) energy efficiency in the home and (b) financial support available for energy efficiency improvements.

Improving energy efficiency and decarbonising buildings is a crucial element in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. This will also lower energy bills and support the reduction of Fuel Poverty. This is why the Government is going further to simplify the user journey for consumers, on GOV.UK, creating a single access point for all consumers homeowners, landlords and tenants) at varying points in their retrofit journey. It will bring into one space information, sources of funding and links to trusted installers, and simplify and expand the current government advice and information offer. More details will be announced in the Warm Homes Plan.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the gas grid to support the decarbonisation of (a) domestic and (b) industrial space heating.

The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan. Gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, and a reliable gas network is essential to support the transition. We are also working with industry to support low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and bio methane.