Every parliamentary written question tabled by Samantha Niblett this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–12 of 12 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
If he will make it his policy to use unallocated surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to pay members a further bonus pension.
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Whether his Department has plans to abolish standstill provisions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that protections for bonus pensions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme match the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
If he will make it his policy that 100% of future surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme be used to increase members’ pensions.
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Whether he is taking steps to ensure the Miners Pension Scheme members’ pensions will be fully index linked.
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
What guidance his Department has issued to the insurance and mortgage industries regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems and pylons in relation to the provision of insurance or mortgages to residents in close proximity to either.
Awaiting answer.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to question 80057, what recent progress has been made in the OFGEM investigation into A Shade Greener; and when affected constituents can expect redress.
Ofgem, as the independent regulator, is responsible for investigating whether companies have complied with the rules of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and related consumer regulations. Ofgem’s investigation into the company A Shade Greener remains open. While the Department cannot intervene in the details of that investigation, we continue to support Ofgem in exercising its consumer powers appropriately. Any decisions regarding enforcement action or consumer redress will be taken by Ofgem once its investigation has concluded in due course.
If he will confirm that holiday lets will have the same Energy Performance Certificate requirements as (a) Hotels and (b) bed and breakfasts.
Hotels in the UK require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they are being sold, leased, or constructed. For short-term holiday lets, an EPC is required if the property is rented for a total of four months or more in a 12-month period. In December 2024, the government consulted on introducing a requirement for short-term rental properties to have a valid EPC at the point of being let, regardless of who is responsible for the energy costs. A response to this consultation will be published in due course.
What discussions he has had with Ofgem on the potential impact of changes to electricity standing charges on SMEs.
Standing charges predominantly recover ‘fixed’ costs that do not vary by energy use. This includes supplier’s operational costs for serving each customer and the cost of essential network maintenance and upgrades, which are necessary to keep all consumers connected, minimise constraint costs, meet the capacity needed to deliver clean power by 2030, and help bring down bills for households and businesses for good. However, we know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges, and we are committed to ensuring that standing charges are fair to all consumers, including SMEs. As part of this, Ofgem have launched a Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR) to consider how energy system costs can be recovered from consumers, including from SMEs, in a fairer and more efficient way and DESNZ will continue to engage closely with Ofgem on the work.
What recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on seeking seeking redress for affected customers of A Shade Greener.
Ministers regularly engage with Ofgem on a range of issues covering the full breadth of the energy system.
Whether he has issued guidance to people affected by multiple planning applications for (a) battery energy storage systems and (b) solar storage near to their villages that have been approved by him.
As Minister for Energy, I do not personally approve any individual planning applications. The Department approves energy projects classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, and the process is governed by the Planning Act 2008, which includes some large solar farms, including those with batter storage systems attached. Stand-alone battery energy storage systems are not classed as nationally significant infrastructure. Guidance for nationally significant infrastructure project projects is available on Planning Inspectorate website, including how local communities can engage with the examination process, register as an interest party and raise concerns about proposed developments.
Whether he plans to allow pensioners not in receipt of benefits to access ECO4 scheme funding for solar panels.
Pensioners not in receipt of benefits may be able to access the Flexible Eligibility element of the ECO4 scheme (ECO Flex) which allows those with a gross combined household income of up to £31,000 to seek support. ECO Flex also has additional routes which are not based on income for households, but where a member has been diagnosed with a specific long-term health condition which could be impacted by living in a cold home. There are currently no plans to make further changes to eligibility under the ECO4 scheme.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government programmes supporting homeowners with reducing levels of carbon emissions.
To reach our Clean Power target by 2030 we need to decarbonise the way we heat and cool our homes and workplaces. After many years of stop-start settlements by previous governments, this government has provided an exceptional initial three-year settlement for home upgrades despite this only being a single-year fiscal event. This demonstrates our ambitions to deliver the Warm Homes Plan as effectively as possible. The new Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) will support low-income homeowners and private tenants and social tenants in England with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, with delivery expected in 2025.