Every parliamentary written question tabled by Liz Saville Roberts this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–39 of 39 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Whether he plans to extend Ofgem’s regulatory powers to cover all off‑grid domestic heating fuels.
The Government has no current plans to extend the licensing by Ofgem of gas and electricity operators to the supply of off-grid heating fuels, such as fuel oils, bottled gas or coal and wood products. However, Ofgem and the Competition and Markets Authority have powers to enforce the rights of consumers under consumer law, such as the Consumer Rights Act.
Whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the migration of smart meters to second generation.
The migration of first-generation (SMETS1) smart meters onto the Data Communications Company (DCC) network is now complete. This means that all SMETS1 smart meters on the DCC network are able to retain smart services upon switching energy suppliers, just as second generation (SMETS2) smart meters do.
What recent discussions he has had with the Energy Ombudsman on the effectiveness of its dispute resolution process in providing redress for customers.
On 19 June the Government announced that we will consult on strengthening the Energy Ombudsman to ensure that suppliers comply with its final decisions or pay compensation to their customers. We also announced that we would consult on proposals to make referrals to the Ombudsman automatic instead of consumers having to do this themselves, and on waiting time for referrals being cut from 8 weeks to 4 weeks. The Government is working with Ofgem to look at increasing the value of base-level automatic compensation from £40, following the first increase since the payments were introduced a decade ago. Ofgem is also looking at expanding automatic compensation to cover more key issues faced by consumers, including excessively long call waiting times, unexpectedly high bills when suppliers fail to adjust their direct debits, suppliers not responding to complaints, or suppliers not complying with Energy Ombudsman final decisions. This will ensure that consumers can get fairer, quicker, and easier compensation when things go wrong.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of devolving powers to license electricity suppliers operating in Wales.
The Government has made no such specific assessment. A universal service obligation (USO) ensures that every household and small business is supplied, regardless of their location. This prevents suppliers segmenting customers by their profitability. As well as the USO, it should be noted that electricity distribution networks are not constructed along national boundaries - the same networks serve customers either side of the Wales/England border, making it very difficult or impossible to split customers by their location such that different licensing regimes can be introduced.
Whether he has had discussions with his Welsh counterpart on the compliance of electricity suppliers operating in Wales with (a) the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (b) the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular meetings with Welsh Government ministers on a range of issues.
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues about the development of a nuclear facility to produce radionuclides for use in healthcare.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets regularly with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues.
Which Minister is responsible for non-power generating nuclear facilities used for (a) research and (b) the production of healthcare-related materials.
As interim Minister for nuclear, I am responsible for the regulation of non-power generating nuclear facilities for civil nuclear fission research and development within DESNZ. Other Departments may hold responsibility for non-power generating nuclear facilities depending on the use case. The responsibility for the production of healthcare-related materials sits with the Department of Health and Social Care.
What her planned timetable is for the switch off of the Radio Teleswitch Service in each Welsh local authority area.
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) signal will be switched off in carefully targeted local areas, where suppliers are ready to respond quickly in case of any issues, starting from 30 June. Industry’s phase out plan will be flexible and subject to change, and therefore will not be published, as suppliers must demonstrate to Ofgem and Government that they are sufficiently prepared before they can proceed. Households will be contacted by their energy suppliers through multiple methods of communication to inform them well ahead of time of any phase out activity in their area. Ofgem will also contact local authorities to inform them of planned activity in their area in advance of any switch off.
What estimate his Department has made of the potential changes in the level of the average annual cost of electricity for people leaving the Radio Teleswitch Service.
Ofgem has consulted on plans to ensure that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide an energy tariff that leaves all their customers ‘no worse off’ than before once their RTS meter is replaced. Ofgem will make further announcements on this in due course.
If he will make an estimate of the number of radio teleswitch service meters in use in (a) Wales, (b) Gwynedd and (c) Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency in the latest period for which data is available.
Most recent figures provided to the Department from Ofgem indicates that as of 2nd May there were c.9,500 RTS meters remaining in Wales.Ofgem does not collect constituency level data on RTS meters from suppliers.
What assessment has he made of the accuracy of the list of RTS Switch off Identified Properties for properties in Gwynedd which have storage heaters as their primary source of heating.
The Department is not aware of a list of RTS properties that separately identifies premises with and without storage heaters.
What estimate he has made of the number of households on Economy 7 tariffs in Gwynedd impacted by the Radio Teleswitch service switch off.
The Department does not receive information from energy suppliers on the number of households on specific tariffs, such as Economy 7.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Ofgem's data on Smarter Meter Switch off Identified Properties on the number of properties in Gwynedd with storage heaters as their primary source of heating.
Smart meters, and the communication services that support smart metering, will not be switched off. The Department does not receive information from energy suppliers about the number of households with storage heaters.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of delaying the Radio Teleswitch Service switch off.
The industry-led Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is reaching the end of its operational life and can no longer be adequately maintained.The switch-off will start from the end of June, and the Government and Ofgem have called on suppliers to rapidly increase the pace of RTS replacements, so that there is a smooth transition and consumers are protected. We continue to closely monitor progress.
What steps his Department will take to support households unable to access Energy Company Obligation 4 before its expiration on 31 March 2026.
Eligibility for the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) does not guarantee assistance, the Department cannot direct who receives support. ECO4 and GBIS have already supported an estimated 292,490 households to February 2025, with around 9,000 homes per month in the last quarter. We are committed to meeting fuel poverty and Net Zero targets, and we are currently considering what policy mix will best achieve that, including what role energy company obligations should play post-2026.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including hybrid heat pumps as an available measure under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The aim of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is to support the transition away from fossil fuel heating to a low carbon alternative. Hybrid heat pumps are not eligible as the department wants to direct the funding available to technologies that offer the greatest carbon savings, rather than those which would continue to involve the burning of fossil fuels for heating. The Government will keep its position on alternative heating technologies under review and make further assessments as supporting evidence develops.
How many low-income households have (a) applied and (b) received vouchers for measures under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme from qualifying rural postcodes.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers grants to help property owners transition away from fossil fuels to low carbon heating. However, other schemes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, Warm Homes: Local Grant and Energy Company Obligation are more targeted towards low-income households. The Government and Ofgem do not collect income statistics as part of directly administering the BUS, however, socio-economic factors are studied as part of the scheme evaluation, with an interim report due to be published next year.
If he will take steps to help tackle rural fuel poverty under the Warm Homes Plan.
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. The transition to warmer, decarbonised homes, will include support for the most vulnerable to help tackle fuel poverty. We will set out further details on the Warm Homes Plan in due course. We are currently supporting rural homes and homes off the gas grid through targeted energy efficiency schemes including the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Home Upgrade Grant, which are aimed at low income and vulnerable consumers.
What plans his Department has to bring forward a consultation on a Renewable Heating Fuel Obligation as required by section 159 of the Energy Act 2023.
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. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of RLHFs, like hydrotreated vegetable oil, in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstocks.