Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department plans to provide to rural communities that are off the grid to connect to mains Gas Distribution Networks.

Any new gas mains connections to rural communities are a commercial decision between the relevant gas distribution network and the connecting property or properties. There are currently no plans to introduce new government support schemes for new gas connections, but the Government is committed to ensuring energy is affordable for all households and is working closely with Ofgem to ensure that consumers are put first. The only way to guarantee our energy security and protect vulnerable households permanently is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.