Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that households unable to get energy smart meters are not (a) disadvantaged or (b) prevented from achieving the best energy rates when seeking the services of an energy provider.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government wants households and small businesses to benefit from smart metering as soon as possible. The vast majority of consumers can now have a smart meter. The rollout is making good progress, with 54% of gas and electricity meters across Great Britain now smart. The Government has introduced minimum annual installation targets for energy suppliers.
The Data Communications Company (DCC), which operates the national communications infrastructure for smart metering, is obligated under its licence to provide communications coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain. In addition, the DCC is also required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage where it is practicable and cost proportionate.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
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 properties (a) Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK that are unable to have an energy smart meter installed.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government wants as many households and small businesses as possible to benefit from smart metering, and millions of consumers across Great Britain, in different types of geographies, are already realising these benefits.
The Data Communications Company (DCC), which operates the national communications infrastructure for smart metering, is obligated under its licence to provide communications coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain. The Government holds this data at a Great Britain level and is not able to disaggregate at constituency or individual nation level.
In addition, the DCC is also required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage where it is practicable and cost proportionate.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he is taking steps to make alternative measures available for rural households who are unable to have a Smart Meter.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government wants as many households and small businesses as possible to benefit from smart metering, and millions of consumers across Great Britain, in different types of geographies, are already realising these benefits.
The Data Communications Company (DCC), which operates the national communications infrastructure for smart metering, is obligated under its licence to provide communications coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain. The Government holds this data at a Great Britain level and is not able to disaggregate at constituency or individual nation level.
In addition, the DCC is also required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage where it is practicable and cost proportionate.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to increase the number of rural households which are able to have an energy smart meter installed.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government wants as many households and small businesses as possible to benefit from smart metering, and millions of consumers across Great Britain, in different types of geographies, are already realising these benefits.
The Data Communications Company (DCC), which operates the national communications infrastructure for smart metering, is obligated under its licence to provide communications coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain. The Government holds this data at a Great Britain level and is not able to disaggregate at constituency or individual nation level.
In addition, the DCC is also required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage where it is practicable and cost proportionate.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to announce the allocation of Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme funding to support the development of floating offshore wind power.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government understands the importance of ports for the development of floating offshore wind to support the opportunities that this new industry offers the UK. The Government is engaging with stakeholders and analysing feedback following the launch of the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme Request for Information earlier this year, and the next steps on the Scheme will be set out soon.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the role of the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme funding in developing port infrastructure to support floating offshore wind power.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on several issues, including the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme.