Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when Ministers in his Department first assessed the relevance of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to the inclusion of maritime emissions within the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Neither the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) nor its EU equivalent applies to maritime emissions, and this instrument does not introduce any CBAM obligations for maritime operators.
The Common Understanding, published in May 2025 sets out the parameters for a linking agreement between the UK and EU emissions trading schemes, including that the link should apply in respect of domestic and international maritime.
Linking will facilitate an exemption from the EU CBAM, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK businesses.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the average domestic electricity price per kWh was in each year since 2021.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The department publishes statistics on the cost of domestic electricity and gas.
Annual domestic energy bills - GOV.UK
This includes tables (2.2.4 for electricity and 2.3.4 for gas) outlining the average unit price in £/kWh and average fixed cost (standing charge) in £/year for the United Kingdom and by region.
This also includes tables (2.2.3 for electricity and 2.3.3 for gas) outlining the average unit cost in p/kWh inclusive of fixed costs for the United Kingdom and by region.
These are calculated using data supplied directly to the department by a sample of domestic energy suppliers.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to prevent the UK ETS from operating as a pay-to-pollute scheme for maritime operators unable to access decarbonisation infrastructure.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Emissions Trading Scheme is a cap-and-trade system with a declining cap that ensures emissions from the traded sector, including the domestic maritime sector, fall in line with the United Kingdom’s statutory net zero commitments.
The scheme limits total emissions and enables reductions to occur where they are most cost effective, without prescribing specific technologies in any sector.
For maritime operators, the scheme provides a clear price signal that supports investment in cleaner vessels, operational efficiency and emerging low carbon fuels.
The Government will continue to work with industry to support the development of infrastructure and technologies needed to facilitate decarbonisation.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
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 Great British Energy on household energy bills.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee energy security and protect billpayers is to reduce our exposure to volatile international markets. Great British Energy is driving the deployment of the clean, homegrown energy. It will ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, and communities reap the benefits of this.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has met with the Secretary of State for Education to discuss the development of skills needed for the growth of the nuclear sector.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
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 contribution of nuclear energy to his net zero goals in 2050; and if he will provide a roadmap for the deployment of nuclear assets.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Nuclear energy, as one of the most reliable, secure, low-carbon sources of home-produced energy, is an essential part of our journey to net zero. Our manifesto made it clear that we support new nuclear, both large-scale, such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, and Small Modular Reactors.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to announce the results of the Small Modular Reactor competition.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Nuclear was established in 2023 as an expert nuclear delivery. It is currently running a small modular reactor technology selection process. This is a live procurement and is ongoing; the window for submitting tenders has now closed and Great British Nuclear is now evaluating bids, with further updates to follow in due course.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
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 help ensure that the development of a UK nuclear supply chain.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
To meet our current and future nuclear ambitions, we will work with the civil nuclear sector to ensure the UK has a resilient supply chain with the required capabilities and capacity across a range of activities from the front-end fuel cycle to waste management.
To do so, we will continue to engage with industry to identify barriers to entry and opportunities for working together to improve the attractiveness of working in the nuclear sector.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to announce the results of the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition; and what assessment he has made of the contribution of SMRs to net zero energy generation targets in 2030.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Nuclear was established in 2023 as an expert nuclear delivery. It is currently running a small modular reactor technology selection process. This is a live procurement and is ongoing; the window for submitting tenders has now closed and Great British Nuclear is now evaluating bids, with further updates to follow in due course.