Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the reasons for change in the mean cost of heat pump installations through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
With the growth in heat pump demand encouraged by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in combination with the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, Government expects to see continued real terms cost reductions over time.
Government actively engages with installers and suppliers participating in the scheme, and will continue to monitor BUS scheme data, wider industry data, and use the outputs of the BUS evaluation programme to understand price trends.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2023 to Question 6120 on Aviation: EU Law, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a derogation to regulation EU 261/2004 for twin otter aircraft (a) with a carrying capacity of 20 passengers or fewer and (b) that operate on public service obligation air routes with regard to timetable changes one month ahead of their expected flight, to increase flexibility and efficiency.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Department has committed to further consultation on the compensation and payment frameworks for flight disruption under Regulation 261/2004. The full scope of that consultation has not yet been determined.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the number of accidents caused by (a) electric and (b) other vehicles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
DfT reported road casualty statistics reports numbers of personal injury road traffic collisions in Great Britain that were reported to the police using the STATS19 reporting system.
STATS19 does not assign blame in a collision. DfT therefore does not hold data on whether it was an electric or other vehicle type that was at fault in a collision. STATS19 does though report the vehicle types involved in a collision.
In 2022, there were 2,195 road collisions involving vehicles with an electric battery, and 93,636 road collisions involving motor vehicles recorded as powered by other non-electric fuel propulsion methods (including petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles).
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department has taken recent steps to reduce the tariff on fish feed imported from the Faroe Islands.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK and the Faroe Islands met in February for the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Joint Committee. Officials discussed implementation of the FTA and remain in contact on a number of areas of trade, including the possibility of further liberalisation of fish feed imports from the Faroe Islands.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a derogation to regulation EU 261/2004 for twin otter aircraft with a carrying capacity of 20 passengers or less operating on public service obligation air routes.
Answered by Anthony Browne
Regulation 261/2004 makes provisions on the rights of passengers to compensation and assistance in the event of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding.
As set out in the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation response, the Department has committed to conduct further consultation on the compensation and payment framework across all forms of disruption.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to end the freeze on state pension payments to pensioners residing in Canada.
Answered by Paul Maynard
UK State Pensions are up-rated overseas where there is a legal requirement to do so. There is no such requirement or agreement with Canada. This longstanding policy has been supported by successive post-war governments for over 70 years and the Government has no plans to change the policy.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to her Department's publication entitled UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published on 11 April 2023, what steps her Department is taking to implement the telecommunications capability required to maintain the resilience of the smart energy grid.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Ofcom are carrying out a review of the future communication needs of the utilities (electricity, gas, and water) that is due for publication in Q4 2023-2024. The Department will draw on the recommendations of that report and, if a spectrum solution is recommended, work with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology to assist industry partners in securing the relevant spectrum allocation.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to recommendation 27 of the report entitled The Second National Infrastructure Assessment published by the National Infrastructure Commission in October 2023, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of utilising radio spectrum for energy networks.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Ofcom published a consultation on possible spectrum for the energy and water utilities in June, identifying 5 bands for the potential use by the energy sector (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/potential-spectrum-bands-to-support-utilities).
In response to this consultation, the Government has contracted Fraser Nash Consultancy to produce a report looking at the technical feasibility and indicative cost of each of the options Ofcom identified, together with other communication solutions that do not require new radio spectrum. This report will be published in due course.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a zero-rate tax for renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil for domestic heating.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a relatively new fuel, and has limited availability in the UK. When used for domestic heating, HVO benefits from the rebated duty rate of 10.18p per litre, in contrast to the full duty rate of 52.95p per litre.
The Government’s Biomass Strategy, which was published on 10 August, reviews the amount of sustainable biomass available to the UK, including liquid biofuels such as HVO. It is important to ensure that biomass is prioritised within the economy where it offers the greatest opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ‘hard to abate’ sectors where there are fewer options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies. Biomass has a role in decarbonising certain properties, such as off gas grid homes that are not readily suitable for heat pumps. Further evidence is needed to consider what role biofuels could play.
As with all taxes, the Government keeps the taxation of HVO under review, and any changes are announced by the Chancellor at fiscal events.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department's timescale is for publishing its planned consultation on the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil for domestic fuel use.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government will issue a consultation on the potential use of renewable liquid heating fuels within twelve months.