Written questions by Mullane.

What powers Ofgem has to intervene where heat network prices are considered excessive.

Awaiting answer.

What his Department's planned timetable is for the full implementation of the heat network regulatory framework.

Awaiting answer.

What protections are in place for consumers on heat networks wishing to challenge charges before the completion of the Ofgem authorisation process in January 2027.

Awaiting answer.

What plans he has to future proof existing and new housing.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards will come into force on 24 March 2027 and there will be a further transitional period for one year afterwards to allow the construction sector to transition smoothly to the new standards. The FHS reduces energy dem...

What steps he is taking to increase the jobs and skills needed in the construction and retrofit sectors to meet the delivery targets in the Warm Homes Plan.

The Warm Homes Plan will support up to 180,000 additional jobs in energy efficiency and clean heating by 2030. It includes our £8 million Warm Homes Skills Programme and a £7 million Heat Training Grant already helping people gain requisite skills and qua...

What steps he is taking to incentivise the uptake of heat pumps.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants to property owners to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating. The grant available under the scheme for air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is £7,500. Support is also available to low-income households and social housing tenants under the Energy Company Obligation, Warm Homes: Local Grant, and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund to install low-carbon heating measures, including heat pumps. This is in addition to the 0% rate of VAT on the installation of heat pumps, which will last until March 2027.

What steps he is taking to reduce electricity costs.

Over this Parliament the government will be working relentlessly to translate the much cheaper wholesale costs of clean power into lower bills for consumers. This will be core to every decision we make.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential contribution of heat battery technology to the Government’s target for decarbonising homes by 2030.

Heat batteries are a promising low-carbon heating technology because they utilise time-of-use tariffs and do not require outside space. However, they are less efficient than heat pumps and therefore use more energy to meet the same heating demand. Although they can be charged at off-peak times, if not sized or used correctly, heat batteries could add to peak demand on the electricity network and increase bills for property owners. The Department is exploring, through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial, the role heat batteries could play in the future.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of heat batteries to balancing grid demand during peak energy usage periods.

Heat batteries are a promising low-carbon heating technology because they utilise time-of-use tariffs and do not require outside space. However, they are less efficient than heat pumps and therefore use more energy to meet the same heating demand. Although they can be charged at off-peak times, if not sized or used correctly, heat batteries could add to peak demand on the electricity network and increase bills for property owners. The Department is exploring, through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial, the role heat batteries could play in the future.

What steps his Department is taking to accelerate (a) retrofit and (b) home upgrades for social housing residents.

The Government’s Warm Homes Plan will improve the existing housing stock by tackling fuel poverty and ensuring lower energy bills for decades to come. The Autumn 2024 Budget confirmed an initial £3.4 billion for heat decarbonisation and household energy over the next three years. This includes £1.8 billion to support fuel poverty schemes, with £1.29 billion of grant funding allocated to Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund in England to support social housing providers and tenants, with delivery starting in April 2025.