Written questions by Murphy.

What steps he is taking to ensure that data held across HM Treasury, HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions is used effectively to reduce fuel poverty and improve the targeting of energy affordability support.

Awaiting answer.

How many workers applied to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund during the pilot programme; and what estimate he has made of the number of workers who will be supported by the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund in the next 12 months.

As of 6th February, the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund has received 980 applications and of these 402 have been approved so far. Following the success of the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund pilot in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire UK and Scottish Governments plan to significantly scale up this and will extend the reach of the Transition Training Fund, enabling thousands more highly skilled oil and gas workers to access tailored careers advice and training to transition to new sectors.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the potential role of heat batteries in homes that are unsuitable for a heat pump.

Though heat batteries can utilise time-of-use tariffs, do not require outside space and can be cheaper to install, they are less efficient than heat pumps. If heat batteries do not have sufficient storage capacity, they could draw electricity at peak times, adding burden on the electricity network and increasing energy bills. The Department is building our evidence on heat batteries through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial. The Government is analysing responses to the consultation on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which gathered views on supporting alternative electric heating technologies, such as heat batteries.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of low benefit-in-kind rates for electric vehicles on carbon emissions since 2020-21.

The department has not made a specific assessment of this kind. Transport decarbonisation policy is led by the Department for Transport, while HM Treasury is responsible for strategic oversight of the UK’s tax system. The department continues to work in close collaboration with both, as the Government seeks to decarbonise the UK’s transport networks.

What assessment his Department has made of the barriers facing consumers in completing the Smart Export Guarantee certification process; and what steps he plans to take to tackle these.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism that ensures individuals are guaranteed payment for any electricity exported to the grid. The Government is aware of consumers’ concerns about the length of time it is taking the District Network ...

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the guidance and resources available to assist homeowners in the post-installation certification process for Smart Export Guarantee

Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) legislation, Ofgem must publish guidance to SEG generators and SEG licensees on the operation of the SEG. The guidance for homeowners provides information about how the SEG works, who can apply and how, the SEG contr...

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of independent networks in delivering network investment.

Independent network operators have an important role to play in delivering electricity network investment and, as such, are an enabler of the Government’s clean energy superpower and economic growth missions. As well as supporting investment in clean ener...

What progress he has made on the creation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Taskforce; and whether his Department plans to bring forward reforms to landowner compensation for the delivery

The previous Government established an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Taskforce of experts and representatives from relevant sectors. This government has reconvened the Taskforce and it met on 27 November. The Taskforce will in due course deliver a ...

Whether his Department plans to respond to the call for evidence entitled Land rights and consents for electricity network infrastructure, which closed on 15 September 2022.

The Government has made it a priority to review current land rights and consents processes and whether they are fit to facilitate meeting the government’s mission for clean power by 2030. We published our response to the Call for Evidence on 2 December, w...

What steps he is taking to establish Great British Energy.

We have already made good progress on setting up Great British Energy, our publicly owned energy company overwhelmingly backed by the British people at the election. We have published legislation, now making its passage through this House, announced forme...