Written questions by Hobhouse.

Whether he plans to take steps with the Coal Authority to use mine water heat for heat networks.

Mine water heat is already used in some heat networks. The Gateshead Heat Network and Seaham Garden Village have been supported through the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) and Heat Network Investment Project respectively. We are in touch with the Coal Authority (now the Mining and Remediation Authority) to monitor developments in the sector and to offer support where applicable, such as through the GHNF.

With reference to the recommendations on the use of long-term revenue support mechanisms such as Regulated Asset Base models and Contracts for Difference within the of the ADE: Heat Networks' Clean Heat 2040 report, whether she has considered applying such a model to a demonstrator city, such as Bath.

A Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model allows a regulated monopoly to earn an agreed level of revenue, as used in sectors such as water. Planned Heat Network Zoning Regulations will deliver a similar effect by granting zone developers exclusive rights within designated areas, with tariffs agreed with the responsible local authority to enable an appropriate return. Further work is required to assess the effectiveness of these models relative to zoning and existing capital support, and it would not be appropriate to introduce a demonstrator city at this stage.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of designating areas with high conservation status, such as Bath, as priority areas for early zoning.

The Department invites strategic and local authorities in England to help identify the next tranche of zones for our future pipeline. Each potential zone will be assessed against quantitative (scale, quality and affordability), and qualitative metrics (readiness, viability, feasibility). Relevant local and strategic authorities—including those covering high conservation areas such as Bath—are welcome to contribute evidence to this review. We are already engaging with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority as part of our Advanced Zoning Programme. (More information about this on the HNDU webpage: www.gov.uk/guidance/heat-networks-delivery-unit).

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the alignment between the new timings for Contracts for Difference eighth allocation round and statutory planning decisions for large renewable projects key on the delivery of the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

The Government recognises the importance of providing clarity and certainty for investors and developers participating in the Contracts for Difference scheme, which is why we have confirmed we intend to open the next Allocation Round in July. We will confirm the details of Allocation Round 8 ahead of July, informed by stakeholder engagement.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the revised Contracts for Difference eighth allocation round timetable on large solar projects that are unable to bid into the pre-qualification window for that round, including those projects that are well advanced and strategically aligned.

The Government recognises the importance of providing clarity and certainty for investors and developers participating in the Contracts for Difference scheme, which is why we have confirmed we intend to open the next Allocation Round in July. We will confirm the details of Allocation Round 8 ahead of July, informed by stakeholder engagement.

With reference to the revised timeline for the Contracts for Difference eighth allocation round, what steps his Department is taking to support large solar projects that have begun planning for construction but may not be able to bid in the pre-qualification window under the revised timeline.

The Government recognises the importance of providing clarity and certainty for investors and developers participating in the Contracts for Difference scheme, which is why we have confirmed we intend to open the next Allocation Round in July. We will confirm the details of Allocation Round 8 ahead of July, informed by stakeholder engagement.

When the Nuclear Liabilities Financing Assurance Board last met; and whether the minutes from previous meetings in the last 10 years will be published.

The NLFAB last met on 27 November 2025. Due to commercial sensitivities the NLFAB minutes are not published. However, the full NLFAB report and supplementary Annexes which were issued to the Secretary of State to inform his decision on the Sizewell C Funded Decommissioning Programme has been published on Gov.uk - www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-funded-decommissioning-programme-fdp

If his Department will publish modelling undertaken by Ofgem on how suppliers may respond to projected Transmission Use of System charge increases over the 2026-31 price control period.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, sets funding and investment allowances for gas and electricity transmission, and gas distribution networks through its RIIO-3 price control process. Final Determinations for RIIO-3 will be confirmed by Ofgem in December. Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. Following the energy crisis, Ofgem introduced capital adequacy rules to strengthen the financial resilience of suppliers and the stability of the retail market. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period.

Whether they have made an assessment of the adequacy of the four-month notice period given to suppliers to recover additional costs under RIIO-3.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, sets funding and investment allowances for gas and electricity transmission, and gas distribution networks through its RIIO-3 price control process. Final Determinations for RIIO-3 will be confirmed by Ofgem in December. Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. Following the energy crisis, Ofgem introduced capital adequacy rules to strengthen the financial resilience of suppliers and the stability of the retail market. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Ofgem’s RIIO-3 draft determinations for the electricity transmission, gas distribution and gas transmission sectors on the (a) financial resilience of energy suppliers and (b) risk of market disruption.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, sets funding and investment allowances for gas and electricity transmission, and gas distribution networks through its RIIO-3 price control process. Final Determinations for RIIO-3 will be confirmed by Ofgem in December. Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. Following the energy crisis, Ofgem introduced capital adequacy rules to strengthen the financial resilience of suppliers and the stability of the retail market. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Ofgem’s RIIO-3 draft determinations for the electricity transmission, gas distribution and gas transmission sectors on energy bills from April 2026.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, sets funding and investment allowances for gas and electricity transmission, and gas distribution networks through its RIIO-3 price control process. Final Determinations for RIIO-3 will be confirmed by Ofgem in December. Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. Following the energy crisis, Ofgem introduced capital adequacy rules to strengthen the financial resilience of suppliers and the stability of the retail market. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period.

What steps his Department has taken to ensure that participants in the Contracts for Difference auction process do not source solar panels or components linked to forced labour in the Uyghur Region.

The Government is committed to tackling forced labour in solar supply chains, including in Xinjiang. The Government is strengthening due diligence requirements through the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and by reviewing Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act. In addition, the Solar Roadmap, published in the summer, outlines actions to build ethical, resilient supply chains, including support for the Solar Stewardship Initiative, which is conducting independent audits of manufacturers. CfD Projects over 300MW must submit a Supply Chain Plan demonstrating steps to prevent modern slavery and labour exploitation, which the Department monitors throughout delivery.

If he will take steps to establish a (a) clear pathway and (b) timeframe for transition plan disclosure to become mandatory for large UK companies.

The government ran a consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements ran from June to September 2025 which has now closed. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

Whether he has a completion date for Sizewell C.

Sizewell C Ltd plan to begin operating the power plant in the mid- to late-2030s.

Whether he plans to accept the recommendation by the Office of Value for Money to lay a Command Paper with a Strategy and Delivery Plan for specific mega projects before Parliament.

Where projects within the Department are designated as megaprojects, the recommendations of the Office for Value for Money study will be considered as appropriate. Having been defined a mega project by the study, a Strategy and Delivery Plan for Sizewell C will be laid as a Command Paper in Parliament in the coming months.

If he will undertake a cost benefit analysis of wholesale electricity market reform options as soon as possible.

We have taken a decision on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements reform options based on a range of evidence and come to a judgement on the best route to deliver a fair, affordable, secure and efficient energy system. We will publish updated analysis later this year.

Whether his Department has undertaken a risk assessment of the potential impact of (a) Artificial General Intelligence and (b) Artificial Super Intelligence on the (i) safety and (ii) security systems of (A) Sizewell C and (B) other future nuclear energy infrastructure.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) as the UK’s independent regulator is responsible for assessing the safety and security of UK civil nuclear sites and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered in their regulatory approach. The ONR are collaborating with industry and various regulators in other countries to support its regulation and share good practice, including on AI. Relevant reports by the ONR can be found here: ONR’s pro-innovation approach to AI regulation and New paper shares international principles for regulating AI in the nuclear sector | Office for Nuclear Regulation

What steps (a) his Department and (b) Ofgem are able to take to help tackle misconduct by Third-Party Intermediaries in the energy market.

The Government has consulted on introducing a regulatory regime for the TPI market. This would raise standards, protect businesses from harmful practices, and improve consumer confidence in responsible TPIs. Earlier this month, the Government published a summary of the responses to the consultation, which set out that most respondents supported introducing regulation for TPIs. We will publish a Government response to the consultation, setting out future plans on TPI regulation, in due course. Current regulatory oversight of TPIs within the energy market primarily consists of voluntary codes of practice, Ofgem licence conditions on energy suppliers, and consumer protection regulations. These codes of practice outline best practices and standards for TPI conduct in areas such as transparency, customer engagement, and ethical behaviour. Ofgem imposes licence conditions on energy suppliers that indirectly affect the activities of TPIs. These include requirements related to transparent pricing for non-domestic customers using TPIs and access to redress for microbusiness consumers, and, since December, to small businesses.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of taking steps to help tackle hidden commission fees charged by energy brokers on costs for businesses; and whether he has considered introducing a regulatory framework to help tackle those fees.

The Government has consulted on introducing a regulatory regime for the TPI market. This would raise standards, protect businesses from harmful practices, and improve consumer confidence in responsible TPIs. Earlier this month, the Government published a summary of the responses to the consultation, which set out that most respondents supported introducing regulation for TPIs. We will publish a Government response to the consultation, setting out future plans on TPI regulation, in due course. Current regulatory oversight of TPIs within the energy market primarily consists of voluntary codes of practice, Ofgem licence conditions on energy suppliers, and consumer protection regulations. These codes of practice outline best practices and standards for TPI conduct in areas such as transparency, customer engagement, and ethical behaviour. Ofgem imposes licence conditions on energy suppliers that indirectly affect the activities of TPIs. These include requirements related to transparent pricing for non-domestic customers using TPIs and access to redress for microbusiness consumers, and, since December, to small businesses.

What his planned timetable is for the work his Department has commissioned on removing barriers to local supply faced by community energy schemes.

The Government recognises that local energy will play an important role in achieving the mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030, and some electricity suppliers are already working with community energy groups to support local supply. We published the summary of responses to the previous Call for Evidence on Barriers to Community Energy in March 2025 and officials in my department are currently undertaking research and engagement, including in the form of workshops with key stakeholders, to work through this complex issue and understand any unintended consequences to the wider system and bill payers from unlocking local supply. Further updates and outcomes from this work will be provided in due course.