Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to ensure that (a) poor and (b) vulnerable fuel consumers do not face increased costs as a result of a transition to (i) low carbon and (ii) decarbonised energy plans.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Our aim is to deliver net zero at the lowest cost for all consumers. A key part of this is supporting consumers who may struggle to afford their energy.
We intend to publish an updated Fuel Poverty Strategy for England by the end of the year which will provide further information on our plans to support low income and vulnerable households as we transition to net zero.
The Energy Company Obligation, worth £640m per year, is already focused on low income and vulnerable households and the recently launched Green Homes Grant, which will provide up to £10,000 for vulnerable consumers to make their home more energy efficient. We also provide support with energy bills for low income and vulnerable consumers through the Warm Homes Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the construction of (a) onshore wind, (b) solar and (c) offshore wind sites awarded contracts in Contract for Difference Auction Round 4 will begin in the 2019 Parliament.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Whether construction will begin during the 2019 Parliament will depend on decisions made by individual developers as well as the allocation round delivery years. Delivery years and other allocation round parameters will be published in advance of the next auction in 2021.
Asked by: Simon Fell (Conservative - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in (a) onshore wind, (b) solar and (c) offshore wind which could be created in the 2019 Parliament as a result of the Contract for Difference Auction Round 4.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
The low carbon economy is a success story, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, and it will continue to grow as we deliver net zero. The Government has not estimated the number of jobs that could be directly created as a result of the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 4. Auction outcomes are dependent on many factors including the auction parameters, which are yet to be set. However, we work closely with industry to maximise the opportunities for UK suppliers from projects with approved Supply Chain Plans.