Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the potential impact of the RIIO-3 Transmission Network Use of System charges on the charitable sector; and if he will consider the potential merits of extending energy-intensive exemptions or relief schemes to registered charities operating high-energy community facilities.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Electricity network charging is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges recover the fixed costs of maintaining and expanding the high-voltage network, and are paid by all network users.
Recent TNUoS increases reflect essential transmission investment agreed under the latest price control (RIIO-3). Ofgem has assessed the impact on domestic and non-domestic consumers and expects the benefits to outweigh the costs by the end of the period — see the RIIO-3 Final Determinations Impact Assessment.
The relief schemes referenced are limited to foundational industries at risk of carbon leakage or frontier manufacturers, to support international competitiveness.
Over the longer term, Ofgem is conducting a holistic review of how energy system costs should be paid for. Their most recent update regarding this review can be found here: Energy system cost allocation and recovery review - Ofgem - Citizen Space.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Nuclear Regulated Asset Base levy on registered charities and non-profit community organisations; and what steps he is taking to support these organisations in the context of increasing non-commodity energy costs.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department has not made a specific assessment on the impact of the nuclear Regulated Asset Base (RAB) on registered charities and non-profit community organisations.
The impact of RAB levies on a typical household bill is an average of around £1 per month over the duration of Sizewell C’s construction. Once operational, Sizewell C could create savings of around £2 billion a year across the future low–carbon electricity system, resulting in cheaper power for consumers.
Ofgem is conducting a holistic review of how energy system costs should be paid for in the future, as part of its Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR).
Ofgem’s work on the non-domestic market has highlighted the need to improve pricing transparency. Government has acted to strengthen protections for these consumers so they can better understand what they are being charged and access better value contracts.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to commission an independent review of the (a) carbon capture and storage programme and (b) associated cluster model ahead of the next Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy
Currently, we do not plan to commission an independent review into the CCUS programme. The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority provides oversight of the Programme as a Government’s Major Projects Portfolio, through Gateway Reviews and reporting. In 2024, the Programme was subject to a National Audit Office review and subsequently a Public Accounts Committee hearing. Internally, we continue to evaluate our work and to ensure we are delivering value for money to taxpayers.
We will publish a report setting out our plan to meet carbon budgets in October. This will set out the policies and proposals that will enable the UK to meet Carbon Budgets 4-6 and will reflect the role that CCUS will play in meeting these targets.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to include costed policies to meet the (a) fourth, (b) fifth and (c) sixth carbon budget as part of the forthcoming climate action plan.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy
Under the Climate Change Act 2008, this plan must set out this government’s package of policies and proposals needed to deliver carbon budgets 4-6. By October 2025 we will deliver an updated plan out to the end of carbon budget 6 in 2037.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
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 31 March 2025 to Question 41000 on Energy Supplies: Radio Frequencies, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of evidence gathered from (a) Germany, (b) Ireland, (c) Spain and (d) Brazil, who have already adopted radio spectrum access for the energy system.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofcom is responsible for allocating and authorising radio spectrum in the United Kingdom. As part of its ongoing work, Ofcom has undertaken preparatory steps to explore the potential need for spectrum to support private communications networks in the energy sector. This included publishing a Call for Input (CFI) to help identify suitable spectrum bands, should such a solution be required in the UK.
In assessing the options, Ofcom considered international spectrum harmonisation efforts as well as approaches taken by other national administrations. A brief evaluation of each identified spectrum band was also provided within the CFI.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the rollout of enhanced operational communications enabled by dedicated radio spectrum access for the UK's energy distribution and transmission networks.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. Officials are working with those in in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with regulators to help establish the evidence base for the future telecommunications requirements of the energy, water and transport sectors.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to support Property Linked Finance to help homeowners to install (a) domestic renewables and (b) energy efficiency measures.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Green finance can play a key role in helping achieve our home decarbonisation ambitions. Through the Warm Homes Plan, the Department is exploring the role private financing can play in supporting homeowners to meet the upfront costs of installing domestic renewables and fabric energy efficiency improvements. As part of that work, Government is assessing the role novel finance models, including Property Linked Finance and Heat-as-a-Service, can play in addressing homeowner needs. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan, including future financing support for households, will be confirmed in due course.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will include measures to increase low carbon and renewable energy schemes (a) owned and (b) part owned by community organisations in the Great British Energy Bill.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As set out in the Founding Statement, Great British Energy will support Local and Combined Authorities and Community Energy Groups to develop up to 8GW of cleaner power by 2030 through small and medium‑scale renewable energy projects. Community-owned low carbon and renewable energy schemes are already in the scope of the Great British Energy Bill, however, as Great British Energy will be operationally independent, it will be for the company to decide the activities it engages in. Such decisions will be determined in due course and influenced by available opportunities, as well as the strategic priorities that government sets out.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the findings of the report by Independent Age entitled A constant struggle: The impact of high household costs on older people facing financial hardship, published in September 2023, on the proportion of older people on a low household income that had reduced their heating.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Government recognises the challenges posed by cost-of-living pressures, including the impact of energy bills, and is already providing extensive financial support to households. This includes a package of support to assist households and individuals with rising costs of living that will total over £104 billion, or £3,700 per household on average, over 2022-2025.
We support those most in need with millions of vulnerable households receiving up to £900 in further Cost of Living Payments. These payments are in addition to established financial support which is available for low income and vulnerable households this winter through the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment which provides £25 during very cold weather. An extra cost of living payment is being paid to pensioner households worth up to £300 through the Winter Fuel Payment, meaning eligible individuals will receive between £250 - £600.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to help insulate homes with a low energy efficiency rating in Leeds North East constituency.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is investing £6.6 billion over this Parliament on clean heat and improving energy efficiency in buildings. Additionally, £6 billion of new Government funding will be made available from 2025 to 2028.
The Government ‘Help to Heat’ schemes ensure homes will be warmer and cheaper to heat. The Government will deliver upgrades to over half a million homes in the coming years through Social Housing Decarbonisation, Home Upgrade Grant and Energy Company Obligation Schemes.
Constituents in Leeds North-East can check their eligibility for schemes on www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency or through the home retrofit phoneline service on 0800 098 7950.