Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the energy efficiency of older housing stock in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future, including those within the South Holland and the Deepings constituency and Lincolnshire. The Government will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.
We are investing £13.2 billion to help upgrade millions of homes and cut energy bills for families across the country to tackle to cost of living crisis. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of compulsory purchase orders that will be required in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire as part of the Grimsby to Walpole grid upgrade.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Planning Act 2008 includes provisions for the compulsory acquisition of land as part of Development Consent Orders (DCO). Decisions on whether to grant compulsory purchase orders (CPO) are made by the Secretary of State as part of the decision to grant a DCO. When doing so, the Secretary of State will assess whether the case for compulsory acquisition meets the requirements set out in the Planning Act 2008. Until the DCO application comes to the Secretary of State for a decision, no estimate can be made of the number of CPOs required as part of the Grimsby to Walpole grid upgrade scheme.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will ban solar radiation management technologies.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government position is that it is not deploying solar radiation management technologies and has no plans in place to do so. The government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Grimsby to Walpole pylon project on (a) farm and (b) wild animals on the route.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Developers of the Grimsby to Walpole project, like all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales, are required to assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of the project's potential effects on the environment, including farmland and wild animals, through Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
Developers also engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, including farmers and environmental organisations, through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into project proposals. The government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
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 increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will shortly launch a Talent Strategy in which apprenticeships play a central role in building the delivery capability DESNZ needs to be a mission-focused department. The department has a well-established apprenticeship offer, with around 84 apprentices currently in post.
As part of the Talent Strategy, we will increase the range and number of apprenticeships we offer by:
The Department has a core apprenticeship offer available to all staff and continues to onboard apprentices through centralised programmes run by the Civil Service Apprenticeship Unit and other initiatives. DESNZ is committed to creating early career opportunities for both current and new apprentices.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the level of investment by Chinese firms in the UK energy sector in the next ten years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We work very closely with industry and across government to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in energy infrastructure. Foreign involvement in energy infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny, with my department working across government to monitor and guard against any potential security risks in the energy sector and its supply chain. As stated in the Integrated Review Refresh, a positive trading relationship benefits both the UK and China, and we continue to recognise the importance of trade and investment from China where it is safe, reciprocal and mutually beneficial.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Ofgem has offered apprenticeships in each year since 2010.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Civil Service is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services.
Ofgem gives access to the apprenticeship levy for professional qualifications, and this has been available for existing employees since the levy was introduced.
Ofgem has made use of the apprenticeship levy in its workforce since 2017 and recruitment data, where available, has been provided below in Ofgem’s annual reports and accounts: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/about-us/ofgem-annual-reports.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the projected carbon emissions resulting from steel imports in the next three years.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department estimates future greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide) on a territorial basis, meaning emissions that occur within UK borders. This is the approach required by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UK’s Climate Change Act 2008. The latest estimate is published here: Energy and emissions projections - GOV.UK.
Defra publishes consumption-based emissions statistics, calculated by the University of Leeds, which include emissions associated with imported goods and services. This can be found here: Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has held discussions with representatives of Heathrow Airport on energy infrastructure for the airport in the last three years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Households near new pylons to save hundreds on energy bills, published on 10 March 2025, whether the Grimsby to Walpole Grid Upgrade will be in scope; and how many (a) households and (b) landowners will receive financial support along the route.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The bill discount scheme will apply to eligible domestic properties and is planned to go live from 2026 once regulations have been laid, when Parliamentary time allows. Eligibility will be set out in regulations, but our aim is that major new transmission projects needed for 2030 will be eligible. Further impact analysis will be conducted prior to scheme introduction. The Government has also published community funds guidance, which could apply to transmission projects yet to start construction.