Written questions by Hobhouse.

What steps his Department is taking to support (a) small anaerobic digestion plants and (b) other small energy producers.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants and small scale biomass generators. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact of the end of Renewables Obligation support on security of supply, clean power 2030 and the environment. Anaerobic digestion plants do have alternative sources of support available such as the Green Gas Support Scheme that provides support for biomethane grid injection.

Whether the UK Emissions Trading Scheme will be ready and aligned with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate by the end of 2026.

Aircraft operators that use eligible sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can currently claim a reduction in their UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations. In June 2023, the UK ETS Authority committed to review its approach to SAF within the UK ETS, acknowledging the significance of the SAF Mandate to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. The UK ETS Authority will consult on a range of options, including SAF Mandate alignment in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the end of the Renewable Obligation Certificates scheme on anaerobic digestion plants.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact of the end of Renewables Obligation support on security of supply, clean power 2030 and the environment. Anaerobic digestion plants do have alternative sources of support available such as the Green Gas Support Scheme that provides support for biomethane grid injection.

If he will carry out a review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to ensure alignment with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate; and if he will take steps to ensure that the ETS is reviewed in time to facilitate the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Aircraft operators that use eligible sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can currently claim a reduction in their UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations. In June 2023, the UK ETS Authority committed to review its approach to SAF, acknowledging the significance of the SAF Mandate to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. The Authority will consult on a range of options in due course.

When he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Regulating Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) in the retail energy market, published on 20 September 2024.

Third-party intermediaries (TPIs) like price comparison websites, energy brokers, and auto-switching services are vital in helping consumers navigate the retail energy market, acting as intermediaries between energy suppliers and customers. However, not all TPIs offer optimal services. While most operate ethically and responsibly, there are exceptions. Several consumer harms have been reported, such as TPIs prioritising their own commercial interests over consumers', opaque contracting practices (including verbal contracts in the non-domestic market), instances of mis-selling, inadequate dispute resolution, and poor customer service. The Government consultation on regulating TPIs in the retail energy market closed on 15 November. A government response will follow in due course once we have reviewed the feedback received.

What assessment his Department has made of (a) the prevalence of malpractice in the third-party intermediary energy retail market and (b) the potential impact of the policies within the consultation entitled Regulating Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) in the retail energy market, published on 20 September 2024, on levels of malpractice.

Third-party intermediaries (TPIs) like price comparison websites, energy brokers, and auto-switching services are vital in helping consumers navigate the retail energy market, acting as intermediaries between energy suppliers and customers. However, not all TPIs offer optimal services. While most operate ethically and responsibly, there are exceptions. Several consumer harms have been reported, such as TPIs prioritising their own commercial interests over consumers', opaque contracting practices (including verbal contracts in the non-domestic market), instances of mis-selling, inadequate dispute resolution, and poor customer service. The Government consultation on regulating TPIs in the retail energy market closed on 15 November. A government response will follow in due course once we have reviewed the feedback received.

What plans he has for increased (a) funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and (b) support for additional low-carbon heating technologies.

On 21 November the Government announced £30 million of additional budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for this financial year in response to increased uptake to the scheme. It was also confirmed that the scheme budget for the next financial year will be ...

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of adding carbon capture, utilisation and storage costs onto household bills.

We have created several business models to fund CCUS projects, designed to ensure value for money whilst providing long term sight of revenue streams for investors. CCUS will be funded by a mixture of exchequer and levy sources, the exact split to be dete...

Whether his Department plans to allow large-scale development consent order solar projects to bid for future Contracts for Difference auctions.

Solar projects over 5MW were eligible to apply for Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to accelerating solar deployment to meet clean power 2030 and reviews the Contracts for Difference scheme before every round to ensure it continues to deliv...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) restoring a three-year window for solar photovoltaics and (b) allowing solar Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects to bid

Solar projects over 5MW were eligible to apply for Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to accelerating solar deployment to meet clean power 2030 and reviews the Contracts for Difference scheme before every round to ensure it continues to deliv...

How many civil servants in his Department are working on (a) demand flexibility, (b) Great British Energy, (c) hydrogen, (d) carbon capture and storage, (e) nuclear energy, (f) the review of

The Department has around 4500 full time equivalents (FTE) working across multiple policy areas and programmes. These include demand flexibility, Great British Energy, Carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen, nuclear, the review of electricity m...

What proportion of funding from the public purse for Sizewell C has been (a) spent on and (b) committed to companies with headquarters in (i) the UK and (ii) what foreign countries.

The details of contracts agreed by Sizewell C with its suppliers are commercially sensitive. The project has made a commitment to spend 70 per cent of the construction value in the UK.

If he will make an assessment of the (a) potential implications for his policies and (b) the Government's net zero strategy of discussions by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on

An assessment is made on the potential implications of any policy by the civil service and is provided to ministers to allow an informed decision to be made. The 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Ga...

What his Department's timetable is for making a decision on how much funding the Government will make available for bioenergy carbon capture and storage technology.

Following the announcement in October 2024 of funding for the initial Track 1 cluster configurations, further funding decisions for continued CCUS deployment will be taken as part of the Spending Review concluding in late Spring 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2024 to Question 5089 on Great British Nuclear: Recruitment, for what reason his Department is unable to provide a list of (a) the 16 organisations from

The Department is unable to share information potentially sensitive to individuals working within GBN. GBN has grown rapidly as an organisation with permanent recruitment underway.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of recognising book and claim as a form of corporate emissions reporting.

Large or listed UK companies are required to disclose specified emissions under the regulations which underpin Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting. Currently, Government is considering the International Sustainability Standards Board reporting require...

If he will make it his policy to strengthen the biomass sustainability auditing regime before any new Contracts for Difference are awarded.

The 2023 Biomass Strategy contained a commitment to consult on developing and implementing a cross-sector sustainability framework to enable greater consistency across sectors. Next steps on this will be announced in due course.

Whether he plans to take steps to provide financial support to the homes that his Department considers to be too expensive or difficult to install a heat pump into.

The Government recognises that heat pumps may not be feasible in a small number of properties, and these homes will require alternative low-carbon heating solutions to help them decarbonise. The Government is committed to incentivising properties to trans...

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6413 on Sizewell C Power Station: Finance, for what reason disclosure of the proportions of capital allocated by Sizewell C Ltd is consid

Sizewell C’s spending plans are agreed by shareholders, including Government. The public disclosure of detailed spending plans whilst the project is engaged in live commercial negotiations could have a negative impact on the project’s negotiating position...

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2122 and of 10 September 2024 to Question 5089 on Great British Nuclear: Recruitment, from what organisations how many personnel have be

GBN has grown rapidly as an organisation to deliver on its mission and now has over 100 personnel working for it, including 51 staff seconded from 16 organisations. GBN has permanent recruitment underway, and all roles are advertised, with applications we...