Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an Energy Social Tariff.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As set out in the Autumn Statement, the Government will develop a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets, which will apply from April 2024 onwards.
The Government is committed to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach, including options such as social tariffs, as part of wider retail market reforms.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring energy suppliers to offer consumers with electromagnetic hypersensitivity, non-broadcasting, legacy meters in place of smart meters.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Smart meters use radio waves in the home to allow remote readings to be taken from gas and electricity meters. There is no evidence that radio waves produced by smart meters pose a health risk. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-meters-radio-waves-and-health/smart-meters-radio-waves-and-health.
In respect of 5G, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice states that there should be no consequences for public health. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/5g-technologies-radio-waves-and-health/5g-technologies-radio-waves-and-health.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the (a) smart meter and (b) 5G rollout on people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Smart meters use radio waves in the home to allow remote readings to be taken from gas and electricity meters. There is no evidence that radio waves produced by smart meters pose a health risk. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-meters-radio-waves-and-health/smart-meters-radio-waves-and-health.
In respect of 5G, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice states that there should be no consequences for public health. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/5g-technologies-radio-waves-and-health/5g-technologies-radio-waves-and-health.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has instructed energy companies to only offer smart meters to consumers who wish to remove a prepayment meter.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government wants as many homes and small businesses to be able to benefit from smart meters as possible. Therefore, it has taken steps to make smart meters the default metering offer in Great Britain.
This includes obligating energy suppliers, under licence conditions, to take all reasonable steps to install a smart meter where a meter is fitted for the first time or when an existing meter needs to be replaced.
Prepayment customers see particular benefits from smart meters, which enable consumers to top-up remotely and track their balance easily, so they do not unknowingly run out of credit.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish a response to the call for evidence on Designing a Framework for Transparency of Carbon Content in Energy Products including any assessment on Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As published in the 15th December Written Ministerial Statement concerning wholesale energy prices and future energy retail market policy, the Department’s work on green tariffs and carbon content was paused to prioritise activity in relation to the unprecedented global increases in gas prices.
The Government's immediate priority for retail energy markets is to ensure the successful delivery of the Energy Bill Support Scheme, Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, as well as the other support being provided to energy users. The government will set out next steps on the future of the retail market in due course.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether any assessment of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin will be made in future reviews into Net Zero.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) play a key role in the carbon accounting framework as well as the marketing of green energy products for consumers. Moving towards a net zero system by 2035, it is vital that these benefits can continue to be quantified and therefore any future reviews of net zero should include the role of REGOs as a consideration.