Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what analysis his department has undertaken about the potential effects of fracking on house prices and home insurance costs across the North of England and the United Kingdom.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There has been no hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction (“fracking”) since the effective moratorium was put in place in England in 2019. Similar restrictions are in place across other parts of the UK. Prior to the moratorium, only three wells have been hydraulically fractured for shale gas. The Department has not undertaken any analysis of the impact of fracking operations on house prices and home insurance costs. The Government has stated its intention to ban fracking for good.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many alcohol industry representatives have Ministers in his Department met with since July 2024.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question UIN 6511.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to increase public awareness of the Priority Services Register.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
There is regulation in place to promote awareness of the Priority Services Register (PSR)
For example, condition 26 of Ofgem’s gas and electricity supply licence requires suppliers to take all reasonable steps to promote the existence of the PSR and identify consumers who are eligible for the PSR.
Furthermore, Government supports the provision of information to consumers through Citizens Advice, who have a statutory duty to provide energy advice to consumers.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions her Department has had with energy suppliers on ensuring that disabled households are supported with the cost of energy.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had numerous discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including energy suppliers and charitable organisations, on this very important issue.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions her Department has had with charities that support disabled people with energy costs.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had numerous discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including energy suppliers and charitable organisations, on this very important issue.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 26 May 2023 to Question 185610 on Energy Bills Rebate, when officials will complete this work; and when groups without a permanent address will know whether they can claim Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Government cannot provide a precise date at which officials will complete their work to establish if there is a robust method for these households to provide proof of eligibility, whilst protecting public funds, so they can claim the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. The Government is working to resolve this issue and will communicate this decision with key stakeholder associations who represent these households when it has been made.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent progress his Department has made on ensuring that people without a permanent address can access the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Government has been engaging with key stakeholder groups who represent those households without a permanent address. Officials are working to establish whether there is a robust method for these households to provide proof of eligibility, whilst protecting public funds, so they can claim the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding support.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether residents of houseboats in marinas are eligible for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Only residents living in a park home can apply for a rebate under the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has had recent discussions with young climate activists.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Ministers regularly meet with external stakeholders. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published quarterly and can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.
The latest published data covers October to December 2022. Further data is due to be published shortly. In line with Cabinet Office guidance, organisations are listed instead of individuals.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of households living in (a) park homes and (b) houseboats that are (i) eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund payment and (ii) have not applied for that payment as of 14 March 2023.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has estimated that there are 131,000 park home residents, houseboats, and caravans who can provide proof of address are eligible for the EBSS AF. We do not at this stage have figures on the number of these households who have not yet applied for the scheme.