Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will announce a timeline for a decision on whether additional measures will be introduced to further support mortgage prisoners.

Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government understands that being unable to switch your mortgage can be extremely stressful. Alongside the Financial Conduct Authority and industry, we have shown we are willing to act through the introduction of a ‘modified affordability assessment’, which removes the regulatory barriers that prevented some customers, who otherwise may have been able to switch, from accessing new products. We are also regularly in contact with key stakeholders, including recently with the UK Mortgage Prisoners campaign group.

The Government remains committed to this issue and will continue to work with industry and wider stakeholders to determine if there are proposals that will meaningly benefit affected borrowers and be fair to other borrowers in the wider market.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to investigate representations made to her Department by members of the public adversely affected by the business practices of rent-a-roof companies under the (a) Feed-In-Tariff and (b) Renewable Heat Incentive schemes.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is aware of the troubling issues that householders have reported regarding commercial lease/rent-a-roof arrangements linked to the Feed-in Tariff and Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive schemes. Minister Bowie met with some of the affected consumers last month to listen to their concerns. Whilst these are private law contracts, the Department is currently investigating these issues and working with the responsible regulatory bodies, before determining what action can be taken.

Found: Chris Evans ( Director of Project Delivery) attended for item 3.

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 investigate the installation of (a) biomass boilers and (b) solar panels by (i) A Shade Greener and (ii) other commercial rent-a-roof companies.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon Member for Islwyn (Chris Evans) on 18 March to question UIN 18120.

Found: Jeremy Hunt 22/11/2023 Chris Evans, Editor, The Telegraph Media engagement following the Autumn Statement