Written questions by Hayes.

If he will take steps to make the UK a net exporter of power by 2030.

The Government will shortly publish the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which will outline our approach to delivering a clean electricity system which will ensure our energy security, help tackle the climate crisis, create good jobs and protect billpayers. NESO’s report on achieving clean power by 2030 showed that it is possible for the UK to generate more clean energy than it consumes, creating the scope to export excess clean power to other countries via interconnectors which will enable us to trade energy with some of our closest European allies.

What discussions he has had with the National Energy Security Operator on the potential (a) marginal and (b) lifecycle carbon emissions from (i) gas with carbon capture and storage (CSS), (ii) bioenergy with CSS, (iii) on-shore wind and (iv) nuclear energy.

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness of the Contracts for Difference scheme and (b) potential scope for reforming investment mechanisms in renewable energy capacity.

The Government is committed to accelerating renewables deployment to meet clean power 2030 and the Contracts for Difference scheme will continue to be an important element of this. We are working with industry to consider ways this scheme and other energy policies can evolve to deliver our clean power goal.

What estimate he has made of the quantity of natural gas reserves required to (a) maintain variable electricity generation and (b) meet electricity demand.

To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed.Unabated gas will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. We will continue to develop our strategy to enable a transition away from unabated gas whilst maintaining security of supply.

What steps he is taking to reduce the UK's dependence on imported electricity.

The Government’s upcoming Clean Power 2030 action plan will detail the Government's strategy protect people from increased energy bills caused by volatile global gas markets and accelerate our pathway towards greater energy independence through the deployment of clean energy. Importing cheaper electricity during peak times reduces the need to turn on carbon-intensive domestic generation and can enhance security of supply by providing access to a more diverse generation pool that complements our domestic energy mix.

How much biomass electricity generation contributes to the UK's carbon footprint.

Government considers the use of sustainable biomass for electricity generation to be low carbon. This assessment takes into account emissions attributed to biomass from across the supply chain.The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes territorial emissions estimates, found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-territorial-greenhouse-gas-emissions-national-statistics. However, international reporting guidelines, established by organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), require carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the combustion of biomass to be accounted for in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector rather than the energy sector. Correspondingly, CO2 emissions from the use of imported biomass are accounted for in the LULUCF sectors across the national inventories in which the biomass was harvested.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reforming the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme to help reduce the cost for installers.

The Government does not plan to reform the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in order to reduce the cost for installers. The scheme closed to new applications at the end of March 2022 and no new installations have been carried out since that date.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) encourage commercial property owners to improve energy efficiency and (b) reduce energy wastage, in the context of duties set out in Section 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Commercial landlords are already required to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards to improve energy efficiency and the Government has consulted on strengthening these, and we will publish the response early next year. Our energy advice service pilot in the West Midlands is delivering subsidised energy assessments and grant funding for energy efficiency measures to Small and Medium Enterprise’s (SMEs) in the region and we are currently considering options for longer term support for SME decarbonisation. Mandatory energy audits required under the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme also provide large businesses with cost-effective ways to save energy and reduce bills.

What plans he has to (a) support and (b) incentivise (i) small businesses and (ii) contractors to enter the renewable energy installation market.

The Government has introduced the £5 million Heat Training Grant, supporting trainees in England taking training relevant to heat pumps and heat networks. For heat pumps, the grant is designed to support businesses with 250 employees or fewer, including sole traders. Through the reconvened Solar Taskforce, we are identifying and taking forward the actions needed to develop supply chains and a high skilled, well-paid solar workforce. These actions will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, which is expected to be published in Spring 2025. DESNZ is also engaging closely with wider reforms to the skills system, including the creation of Skills England and the new Growth and Skills Offer. Our Office for Clean Energy Jobs will ensure we have the skilled workforce we need for the net zero transition, and good jobs are spread across the country.

What steps his Department is taking to financially support (a) GP practices and (b) third-sector organisations delivering commissioned services with employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, and this enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented from April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year at the earliest opportunity, including through NHS Planning Guidance, and the usual consultations, for instance the general practice contract.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent care homes from evicting vulnerable residents.

Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority clearly states that the resident, their representatives, and any other relevant independent professional should be consulted, and that eviction should only occur after efforts have been made to meet the resident’s care needs. The reasons for the consultation should be fully discussed, together with possible solutions, before any final decision is made on the resident’s continued stay in the care home.Clauses about evictions should be clearly set out in the contracts that residents sign on entering the care homes. The legal minimum notice period is 28 days. This is set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the independent complaints lead and works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), sharing information with the CQC to identify poor practice.

Whether he has plans to revise or increase incentives for (a) solar photovoltaics installations and (b) battery storage solutions to help encourage wider adoption by (i) homeowners and (ii) businesses.

Details of actions being taken to increase deployment of solar power and battery storage will be set out the forthcoming Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, as well as the forthcoming Solar Roadmap. Since February 2024, the VAT for solar and battery storage has been 0% and will be until March 2027. And 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, including support for solar and batteries.

What steps he is taking to provide long-term funding for (a) local energy efficiency and (b) net zero initiatives.

The Government recognises the importance of local action to help realise our national net zero targets. On energy efficiency, Government will partner with combined and local authorities to roll out the Warm Homes Plan. We are also using devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities to pilot new approaches to funding retrofit from 2025 and are exploring how we can build on these for other areas. To support net zero initiatives, Government funds five Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities to develop net zero projects, including those relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy, and to attract commercial investment. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will also provide commercial, technical and project-planning assistance, increasing capacity and capability to build a pipeline of successful projects in local areas.

If he will take steps to increase the role of patients in decision making around care home placements.

The Health and Care Act 2022 contains a duty for National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts to involve both patients and carers, including young carers, at the earliest opportunity in discharge planning for adult patients who are likely to need care and support after their hospital discharge, where they consider it appropriate to do so.The statutory discharge guidance sets out how local areas can plan and implement hospital discharge services that cater to individual patients’ needs. This is aimed at senior leaders in NHS commissioning bodies, local authorities, and relevant sectors such as care providers.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of (a) reinstating and (b) expanding (i) local grant funding schemes previously funded through EU initiatives and (ii) other local grant funding schemes to support (A) energy efficiency and (B) renewable energy projects.

The Government recognises the importance of local initiatives in driving net zero action and provides initiatives, including funding, to help achieve this. On energy efficiency, Government will partner with local and combined authorities to roll out the Warm Homes Plan. Government is also using devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities to pilot new approaches to funding retrofit from 2025. In addition, Government funds five Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities to develop net zero projects, including those relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy, and to attract commercial investment. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will also provide commercial, technical and project-planning assistance, increasing capacity and capability to build a pipeline of successful projects in local areas.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) new incentives and (b) funding streams to support energy (i) audits and (ii) efficiency improvements in commercial properties.

Commercial landlords are already required to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards to improve energy efficiency and the Government has consulted on strengthening these, which we will publish the response to early next year. Through the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, large businesses must undertake energy audits and are encouraged to make energy efficiency improvements. We are currently providing audits and grants to SMEs as part of a pilot with the West Midlands Combined Authority, to identify and provide grants for energy efficiency measures for businesses. More detail on the Government’s approach to decarbonising non-domestic buildings, including through the Warm Homes Plan, will be published in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of evictions from care homes on vulnerable people in need of care.

Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority clearly states that the resident, their representatives, and any other relevant independent professional should be consulted, and that eviction should only occur after efforts have been made to meet the resident’s care needs. The reasons for the consultation should be fully discussed, together with possible solutions, before any final decision is made on the resident’s continued stay in the care home.Clauses about evictions should be clearly set out in the contracts that residents sign on entering the care homes. The legal minimum notice period is 28 days. This is set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the independent complaints lead and works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), sharing information with the CQC to identify poor practice.

If his Department will take steps to reallocate funding from acute care to (a) primary care and (b) the third-sector.

In spring, we will publish a 10-Year Health Plan, which will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from hospitals to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. This is a long-term challenge and will take time to deliver, and so the plan will consider both what immediate actions are needed to get the National Health Service back on its feet and bring waiting lists down, as well as the longer-term changes needed to make the health service fit for the future.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of penalties for television licence evasion.

The BBC is responsible for collection and enforcement of the TV licence, including deciding whether to bring prosecution action.The Secretary of State believes it is important that the television licence fee has a fair enforcement regime that does not disproportionately impact vulnerable people, and has discussed her concerns on this issue with the BBC’s leadership.As part of the next Charter Review, the Government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models for the BBC, and their enforcement.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the powers of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman on decision making around evictions from care homes.

Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority clearly states that the resident, their representatives, and any other relevant independent professional should be consulted, and that eviction should only occur after efforts have been made to meet the resident’s care needs. The reasons for the consultation should be fully discussed, together with possible solutions, before any final decision is made on the resident’s continued stay in the care home.Clauses about evictions should be clearly set out in the contracts that residents sign on entering the care homes. The legal minimum notice period is 28 days. This is set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the independent complaints lead and works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), sharing information with the CQC to identify poor practice.