Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock in the UK in addition to his Department's planned net zero expenditure on the energy efficiency of buildings.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In addition to providing £6.6 billion of funding, the Government is creating a long-term regulatory framework to help meet its aspiration that as many homes as possible are improved to EPC Band C by 2035, where practical, cost-effective, and affordable. The Government has consulted on raising the minimum energy performance rating for privately-rented homes and has committed to consult on options to upgrade homes in the owner-occupier sector.
The Government is also taking action to facilitate low-cost finance from retail lenders to drive investment in energy efficiency measures; and further improving its advice and information offer to help households improve the energy performance of their homes.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of retrofit housing stock to help ensure it is energy efficient.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government believes that improving insulation measures in homes is one of the best long-term solutions for reducing household energy costs and fuel poverty. Improving insulation across the UK’s housing stock also aligns with the commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The Government has committed £6.6 billon across the lifetime of this Parliament to decarbonise heat and buildings.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
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 meeting the Government’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Cabinet colleagues regularly discuss progress towards meeting the Government’s emissions reduction targets, including the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution. The Government will publish its Net Zero progress report in the autumn. This will include Net Zero delivery progress in the previous year against the delivery pathway to net zero.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of rising energy prices on the manufacturing sector.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises this is a worrying time for manufacturing businesses. Ministers and officials continue to engage constructively to further understand and to help mitigate the impacts of high global energy prices. The Government’s priority is to ensure costs are managed and supplies of energy are maintained.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to introduce grants for small and medium sized business to allow them to invest in renewable energy sources.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is supporting commercial rooftop solar installation through tax-relief to businesses choosing to install solar panels until March 2023 and business rates exemption for onsite-renewable generation until March 2035. Subject to conditions, existing permitted development rights allow solar on and around domestic and commercial buildings without planning permission. In the British Energy Security Strategy, the Government committed to reviewing the rights and simplify planning processes.
Under the Smart Export Guarantee, small-scale low-carbon electricity generators, with a total installed capacity of up to 5MW, and micro-combined heat and power up to 50kW, can receive payment for renewable electricity they export.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing paid leave for people who have undertaken special guardianship orders.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government recognises the important role that Special Guardians play looking after children.
Statutory guidance is clear that local authorities should consider financial help for special guardians. Qualifying special guardians are also entitled to annual leave, the right to request flexible working and unpaid parental leave to help them balance their family and work responsibilities.
The recently published Independent Care Review made recommendations to support special guardians and kinship carers. The Government is carefully considering all the recommendations in the Care Review and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the absence of an opt-out mechanism for the Energy Bills Rebate scheme on residents in Birmingham, Selly Oak constituency.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Energy Bills Support Scheme, as announced by my rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer on 3 February, is currently the subject of a Government consultation issued on 11 April.
The implementation of the policy will be reviewed following the conclusion of the consultation. Allowing consumers to opt out of receiving the reduction on their bills would likely increase the administrative costs of the scheme. This applies equally to the constituents of Birmingham, Selly Oak.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory entitlement to paid leave for carers.
Answered by Paul Scully
The 2019 manifesto committed to introduce one week of leave for unpaid carers. The Government consulted on proposals to deliver this commitment in 2020. The Government response to this consultation confirmed that Carer’s Leave will be a day 1 right, available to all employees who are providing care for a dependant with a long-term care need. Eligible employees will be entitled to 5 days of unpaid leave per year, which will be available to take flexibly in individual or half days.