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 the recommendations of the Competition Market Authorities’ study of Heat Networks, published in July 2018.

I welcome the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) final report of its market study into heat networks, which makes important recommendations on how to strengthen consumer protections for domestic heat network customers.

In line with our 2017 customer survey, the CMA found that for many consumers heat networks offer an efficient service at prices which are similar or lower than other potential alternatives. However, there are issues affecting the sector that need addressing. I expect to respond to the CMA’s recommendations later this year by setting out our priorities for establishing a heat networks market framework that delivers growth in the market in a way that protects consumers, delivers sustained investment and maximises the potential economic and environmental benefits from heat networks. In addition, we are continuing to support the heat networks industry in improving consumer protections, such as through the Heat Trust, an independent voluntary customer protection scheme.