Asked by: Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will encourage energy companies to reduce standing charges on (a) electricity and (b) gas.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Setting the level of standing charges falls within the remit of Ofgem. I regularly meet with Ofgem to discuss the energy retail market, including standing charges. Ofgem’s recent Call for Input (CfI) on standing charges closed on January 19th 2024. The Call for Input seeks to gain greater understanding on how standing charges are applied to energy bills and what alternatives could be considered. Government welcomes this and looks forward to Ofgem’s conclusions.
Further information on the CfI may be found online at: www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/launch-review-standing-charges-energy-bills
Asked by: Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his Department’s policy to seek closer collaboration with the North Seas Energy Cooperation beyond the terms of the NSEC-UK Memorandum of Understanding, published on 18 December 2022.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The UK is working closely with North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) states following my signing of the MOU in December. The UK is not seeking to become a full member.
Asked by: Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his Department’s policy to become a full member of the North Seas Energy Cooperation.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The UK is working closely with North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) states following my signing of the MOU in December. The UK is not seeking to become a full member.