Written questions by Antoniazzi.

What steps he plans to take to help tackle chronic oil pollution in UK seas.

The UK has a comprehensive environmental regulatory regime for the offshore oil and gas sector which is administered by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED). The regime ensures that provisions are in place to minimise and, if required, respond to oil pollution. Non-compliance with regulations and permits is investigated by OPRED and if required enforcement action can be taken. OPRED continues to work with industry to improve their performance and further reduce the potential for oil pollution.

What support is available for vulnerable people who meet the financial threshold for the Warm Home Discount but are not the named bill payer.

The Warm Home Discount is a rebate on energy bills, usually paid into the bill payer’s account. Where an individual is not named on the bill, the rebate may still be paid if their partner or legal representative is named. The scheme also funds wider support, including a grant scheme for occupiers of park homes and programmes providing energy efficiency advice and measures. Those not benefiting from the rebate may be eligible for other government programmes, current schemes include the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and the Home Upgrade Grant.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure vulnerable people are able to access financial support with energy bills.

The Government is committed to ensuring energy bills are affordable for all consumers, especially the most vulnerable. The Government is continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills to eligible low-income households. I recently met with suppliers and encouraged them to build on the Voluntary Debt Commitment from last year and go further in supporting vulnerable customers this winter. The Government has also extended the Household Support Fund for an additional six months until 31 March 2025 with an extra £500 million in funding, and I encourage any vulnerable individual who is struggling to pay their bills contacts their local authority to see if they are eligible for this support.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of availability of the Warm Home Discount to named account holders only.

The Warm Home Discount is a rebate on energy bills received by over 3m households where an eligible individual, their partner or their legal representative is named on the energy account. To provide support on this scale, it is paid directly into energy accounts in the majority of cases. Those who are not eligible for the Warm Home Discount may be eligible for support from other government schemes or the wider support offered through the Warm Home Discount.