Dave Doogan

The requested information is not available. The outcome of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) exercise was a single adjustment to a member’s pension. In a small number of cases a member’s pension may have been adjusted for other reasons and then subsequently changed again as a result of the GMP exercise.

The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the pension arrangements of Equiniti. 26,715 of around 700,000 pensioner members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected following the Civil Service Pension Scheme Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation and rectification exercise.

Civil Service Pension Scheme members were provided with detailed information about the change to their pension, along with any lump sum underpayment due to the member. In cases where pensions had been overpaid the overpayment was written-off and future pension payments adjusted to the correct level. Members requesting a complete breakdown of the calculations supporting these figures, following receipt of the detailed information about the change to their pension, were provided with the complete breakdown.

The reconciliation exercise compares member data held by the scheme with records held by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Where there is a discrepancy between the data sources the reason is investigated in order to reconcile the scheme data with the HMRC data which may result in changes to pensions in payment. Consideration of notional or payable Additional State Pension is not relevant to the reconciliation exercise.

The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the pension arrangements of Equiniti. 26,715 of around 700,000 pensioner members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected following the Civil Service Pension Scheme Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation and rectification exercise.

Civil Service Pension Scheme members were provided with detailed information about the change to their pension, along with any lump sum underpayment due to the member. In cases where pensions had been overpaid the overpayment was written-off and future pension payments adjusted to the correct level. Members requesting a complete breakdown of the calculations supporting these figures, following receipt of the detailed information about the change to their pension, were provided with the complete breakdown.

The reconciliation exercise compares member data held by the scheme with records held by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Where there is a discrepancy between the data sources the reason is investigated in order to reconcile the scheme data with the HMRC data which may result in changes to pensions in payment. Consideration of notional or payable Additional State Pension is not relevant to the reconciliation exercise.

The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the pension arrangements of Equiniti. 26,715 of around 700,000 pensioner members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected following the Civil Service Pension Scheme Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation and rectification exercise.

Civil Service Pension Scheme members were provided with detailed information about the change to their pension, along with any lump sum underpayment due to the member. In cases where pensions had been overpaid the overpayment was written-off and future pension payments adjusted to the correct level. Members requesting a complete breakdown of the calculations supporting these figures, following receipt of the detailed information about the change to their pension, were provided with the complete breakdown.

The reconciliation exercise compares member data held by the scheme with records held by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Where there is a discrepancy between the data sources the reason is investigated in order to reconcile the scheme data with the HMRC data which may result in changes to pensions in payment. Consideration of notional or payable Additional State Pension is not relevant to the reconciliation exercise.

Her Majesty’s Government is committed to maintaining high standards of conduct and probity, whilst making improvements where necessary to policies and processes which help support this.

There are a range of mechanisms in place to maintain and drive up standards, including Codes of Conduct (such as the Ministerial Code, Civil Service Code, Special Adviser Code), policies and guidance (such as Managing Public Money), and bodies and offices charged with overseeing aspects of government activity (for example the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Civil Service Commission). The Committee on Standards in Public Life also issues regular reports with ideas and recommendations for the Government and other public bodies to consider.

I also refer the Hon. Member to the written ministerial statement of 16 December 2021, Official Report, HCWS500, on the Government's anti-corruption strategy work.

The Government has provided comprehensive guidance on the new arrangements for trade with the EU. We are working closely with the devolved administrations, operational partners, industry groups and transporters to minimise any potential disruption. The Border Operating Centre is operating around the clock to pull together all the necessary sources of information to track what is happening at the border.

The regulatory framework for electricity network connections is a matter for the independent regulator, Ofgem. As set out in the Connections Action Plan[1], Ofgem is undertaking a full review of existing incentives and obligations on parties, including network companies, relating to connections to ensure they are fit for purpose. This will include consideration of the use of financial incentives and penalties, as well as other regulatory levers. Ofgem will report its findings by the end of June.

Data from the Electricity System Operator (ESO) shows that 31 projects have been removed from the transmission connections queue since 1 March 2023. Of these 31 projects, 13 terminated their agreements voluntarily as part of the ESO’s Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) Amnesty.

As set out at Budget, the ESO has begun the process of inserting delivery milestones into over 1000 connection agreements, enabling it to terminate stalled projects from Autumn 2024. The Government will also work with the ESO and network companies to outline further reforms by summer 2024 to raise barriers to entering and remaining in the queue.

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). We will be working with Ofcom to take forward the outcomes from this consultation.

Officials at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are currently discussing the recommendations from the NIC report with several Government departments and public bodies while we assess the future need for telecommunications for the energy industry.

The National Grid Electricity System Operator is responsible for managing constraints and annual network constraint costs for 2022 were £2.0bn (2023 prices). Constraints are a natural part of operating an efficient electricity system, and balancing the network by curtailing wind and turning up alternative generation can be an efficient way to manage these.

Necessary grid infrastructure improvements are being made to manage the level of constraints on the system and ensure the UK's homes can be powered by clean, green energy in future.

The Government acknowledges the uncertainty that renewable developers face in pricing in the cost of future transmission charges (TNUoS), and that this presents particular challenges for transmission-connected projects in more expensive TNUoS zones which primarily impact wind technologies. Whilst network charges are a matter for Ofgem, the Department has considered implications for the upcoming sixth Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round and has taken into account the risk of higher TNUoS charges for certain wind technologies. The Department continually assesses implications of charging arrangements on future CfD rounds beyond Allocation Round 6.

Fuel Poverty is a devolved matter and the Department has responsibility for England.

The share of households in fuel poverty in England has reduced from 22% in 2010 to 13% in 2023, with energy efficiency being the key driver.

Other support includes the Warm Home Discount scheme which provides low-income and vulnerable households with a £150 rebate off their winter energy bill, which it is estimated took 248,000 English households out of fuel poverty in 2023.

The department is currently reviewing the 2021 fuel poverty strategy and is engaging with key stakeholders as part of this process.

The Government has overachieved on all its carbon budgets to date. As required under the Climate Change Act, the Government has consulted the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and Devolved Administrations (DAs). The Government will consider the CCC and DAs’ responses and make a decision ahead of the statutory deadline of 31 May 2024.

The latest data from the Electricity System Operator, from 31 January 2024, reports that there were 40 renewable energy projects awaiting transmission connection offers.

The Budget Notice for Allocation Round 6 of the Contracts for Difference Scheme is due to be published by 13 March 2024. Decisions about funding any technology are determined by the available pipeline of eligible projects. The Government seeks to set the budget at a level that supports competition and delivers on the deployment and value for money objectives of the scheme.

The Department has not estimated the potential GDP value to the economy of reaching the 50GW ambition. The Offshore Wind Industry Council estimates in their Skills Intelligence Report, published June 2023, that with our world leading 50GW ambition, the offshore wind sector is expected to grow to support over 100,000 jobs by 2030. This will require over £50 billion in construction capital expenditure.

The owners of Grangemouth refinery noted that refining operations will continue until at least Q2 2025. My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State met their CEO in November to discuss this transition, the future of the site and seek assurances on their continued support for their employees.

In the meantime, The Falkirk Growth Deal, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments, has a firm focus on the themes of Innovative Industry and Great Places. It will see £40m invested by the UK government in projects that will create new high-value jobs for the future.

The main driver of trends in energy prices for domestic and business customers over the last 5 years has been movements in international gas prices, which determine the amounts charged for both domestically produced and imported gas. The Department publishes data on the UK's overall net imports, with separate data on imports of gas and other energy products, alongside energy prices. Developing more home-grown sources of energy supply – including renewables – will help reduce the exposure of UK energy prices to volatile international markets.

The UK is a significant producer of both crude oil and petroleum products, and UK demand is met through a combination of domestic production and imports from a diverse range of suppliers. The UK is already a net importer of refined oil products, and we both import and export all major products.

The drive to reduce carbon emissions towards Net Zero will inevitably reduce the demand for fuels over the coming decades. The oil product market is a liquid and widely traded market, meaning the UK will continue to meet its needs for refined oil products from a flexible and diverse range of sources.

The UK is a significant producer of both crude oil and petroleum products, and UK demand is met through a combination of domestic production and imports from a diverse range of suppliers. The UK is already a net importer of refined oil products, and we both import and export all major products.

The drive to reduce carbon emissions towards Net Zero will inevitably reduce the demand for fuels over the coming decades. The oil product market is a liquid and widely traded market, meaning the UK will continue to meet its needs for refined oil products from a flexible and diverse range of sources.

The Energy Charter Treaty sunset clause applies if Contracting Parties withdraw from the Treaty. On 1 September 2023, the UK announced it is reviewing its membership of the ECT if the modernised Treaty was not adopted by November 2023. The Government is considering the views of stakeholders in business, civil society, and Parliament as part of this process. Parliament will be informed at the earliest opportunity.

The Government has not made any such assessment as it does not plan or develop energy infrastructure but sets the regulatory framework for the independent energy industry. The development of energy islands is subject to consent through the planning system and consistency with environmental protections and value for money requirements set by the regulator Ofgem. The Holistic Network Design and the Centralised Strategic Network Plan will set the high-level design for offshore transmission and identifies those responsible for its construction. It is for those companies to assess options for the detailed design.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State discusses a range of issues with my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, including offshore wind where relevant. The Offshore Wind Industry Council estimate that the total UK offshore wind workforce at the end of 2022 was 32,257, representing an increase of four per cent from the previous year.^[1]

^[1] Offshore Wind Skills Intelligence Report June 2023

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C in England up to that standard.

The SHDF Wave 2.2 ‘top up’ competition will allocate up to £80 million of grant funding from April 2024, building on the allocations made under the previous Wave 2.1.

SHDF Wave 2.1 awarded £778 million in March 2023 to deliver energy performance improvements to around 90,000 social homes, and the Wave 2.2 competition funding aims to upgrade around 9,500 additional homes.

Policy for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) is designed following engagement with the sector. Draft guidance for Wave 2.2 of the SHDF outlines that social housing landlords are required to provide match funding of at least £1 for each £1 of grant funding received, to maximise the number of properties that can be retrofitted with the funding available. Social housing tenants will not be required to contribute to the cost of SHDF retrofits.

The number and proportion of women at pay band SCS2 in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (core dept only) is 17.8 FTE and 49.9% respectively.

Renewables Obligation Certificates for stations in Scotland are issued under the Renewables Obligation Scotland scheme. That scheme is devolved to the Scottish Government.

The table below shows the number of staff in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (core department only) by location and grade.

The number of women in the department for Energy Security and Net Zero (core department only) on temporary contracts* is currently 15.

The percentage of women on temporary contracts of all temporary contracts (male and female) is 57.7%.

The percentage of women on temporary contracts as a share of all women in the department is 0.7%.

*Temporary contracts are defined as being on the payroll and holding a ‘fixed term contract’ that is 12 months or less in duration.

The Government is facilitating the deployment of electricity storage, including battery storage, through actions set out in the 2021 Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan.

On longer duration electricity storage, the Government has committed to developing an appropriate policy framework by 2024 to enable investment and deploy sufficient storage to balance the system. The Department is planning to consult on the framework this year.

On hydrogen storage, the Government has set out its preferred hydrogen storage business model to unlock private sector investment and remove barriers. The Government has secured amendments to the Energy Bill to introduce the primary powers to deliver this business model by 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State discusses a range of issues with the Home Secretary, including offshore wind.

Operation of the Balancing Mechanism is the responsibility of the Electricity System Operator, which has a responsibility to minimise the cost of balancing for electricity consumers.

The Government, through the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, is considering reforms needed to electricity market arrangements to drive the necessary investment and efficient operation of a secure, cost-effective, low-carbon electricity system. This includes reform options to maximise the potential for a range of flexible technologies to deploy and operate flexibly, including battery storage.

The table below shows the number of staff in the department for Energy Security and Net Zero (core dept only) by locations and grades.

All applications to the Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund made before the closure of the application window on 31st May will be processed.

Eligible organisations will have 90 days from the scheme introduction date of 26 April 2023 to apply for the higher support of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme. New organisations or newly eligible organisations will have 90 days to apply from the date at which they become eligible. Once eligibility has been determined, support will be backdated to the 1^st April 2023.

The Government has increased the number of receipts an applicant can use to evidence £200 of alternative fuel usage from 2 to 10. The Government has worked constructively with stakeholders to reach this decision. A limit is necessary however, to help prevent fraudulent applications.

The window to apply for funding closes on 31 May 2023, meaning households can still make purchases to bring their total spend to £200 ahead of that date.

Rejected applicants of the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding can contact the contact centre helpline on 0808 175 3287 where a representative can provide additional information on the reasons why their application was rejected and provide further assistance where necessary.