Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Kilburn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Government meets its heat pump installation targets.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government is committed to growing the market to 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028. We are supporting installations through schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Social Housing Decarbonisation Scheme and Energy Company Obligation. From 2025, we expect the Future Homes Standard and the Clean Heat Market Mechanism to support further market growth.
The Government is supporting the supply chain, through Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition for manufacturers and the Heat Training Grant. We are also consulting on changes to Permitted Development Rights to make it easier for people who want a heat pump to install one.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Kilburn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the increases in the cost of living on affordability of communal heating charges.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has recognised that increases in the cost of living have impacted the bills paid by heat network consumers. The Government has therefore introduced the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, and previously the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which support heat networks. Bills will vary depending on consumption levels, network efficiency, and other variables. The table below estimates the variable gas cost element of a bill for a customer consuming 7,000 kWh of heat on a gas heat network. It includes the impact of gas prices and government support schemes. Costs such as maintenance and standing charges have not been included.
Time period | Estimated annualised heat network heat bill (7,000 kWh of heat, fuel cost only) |
April 2023 - June 2023 Energy Bill Discount Scheme supporting heat networks. | £861 |
October 2022 – March 2023 Energy Bill Relief Scheme supporting heat networks. | £1,037 |
March 2022 – September 2022 No government support scheme in place for heat networks. | £968 |
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Kilburn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people with the impact of rises in the cost of living; and whether those groups are eligible for support under (a) the Energy Bills Support Scheme-Alternative Funding and (b) the Alternative Fuels Payment.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
As part of the application process for these schemes, the Government require applicants to show proof of address, such as a tenancy agreement or a utility bill, to protect public funds against fraud. The Government understand that some Gypsy and Traveller households may not be able provide this evidence, which means they won’t currently be able to receive the EBSS AF or the AFP AF. Officials are working to establish whether there is a robust method for them to provide proof of eligibility, whilst protecting public funds, so they can receive support.