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 metro mayors on converting the gas grid in their area from natural gas to hydrogen.

A variety of joint government and industry research, development and testing projects are underway, designed to help determine the safety, feasibility, costs and benefits of converting all or part of the existing gas grid to carry 100 percent hydrogen.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met with metro mayors specifically on converting the gas grid. BEIS officials have had wider engagement with local authorities to ensure their perspectives were considered in the development of the UK Hydrogen Strategy and we will continue to engage with local authorities, metro mayors and other local partners as we look to grow the hydrogen economy throughout the 2020s and beyond.