Topical Questions 2026-01-06

2026-01-06

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Carla Denyer Green
Bristol Central
Context
The UK experienced record-breaking heat in 2025, attributed to climate change. The government has allowed tiebacks for existing oil and gas fields despite a new ban on new licenses.
Climate change made 2025 the UK’s hottest year on record and fuelled deadly extreme weather events across the globe. We know that every drop of oil and gas used makes those events more likely, so will the Secretary of State confirm how much more new oil and gas could be extracted via the tiebacks that the Government have decided to allow, despite the new oil and gas ban? When developers apply for permission for those tiebacks, will they be required to include scope 3 emissions in their environmental impact assessments?
We have produced a world-leading plan for the North sea, which combines the just transition—the just and prosperous transition—with environmental leadership, while keeping to our manifesto commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields. It is absolutely right that we have tiebacks to ensure that existing oil and gas fields are kept open for their lifetime. Obviously, the North Sea Transition Authority will consult on the details of how that will work, but it is absolutely the right thing to do for jobs and the environment.
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Q2 Partial Answer
Meg Hillier Lab/Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Context
Banister House in Hackney is the first community energy scheme on social housing with solar panels. The forthcoming local power plan will provide opportunities for similar projects.
Banister House in Homerton in my constituency was the first community energy scheme in Hackney with solar panels on the roof, and it is the UK’s largest such scheme on social housing. The forthcoming local power plan will provide an opportunity for others to follow where Hackney has led. Could the Secretary of State give some detail about its roll-out, so we all know how we can prepare to bid for it?
I congratulate Hackney council—Labour-led Hackney council—on the brilliant job it is doing on green energy. Unlike some who just talk about it, the council is actually delivering, and I congratulate it. I see Hackney as being at the forefront of our local power plan, which will be coming out in the coming months.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Luke Murphy Lab
Basingstoke
Context
Energy network firms have benefited from excess profits under the previous price control regime, known as RIIO-2, resulting in increased energy bills for households.
Since 2021, energy network firms have pocketed £4 billion in excess profits under the previous price control regime, known as RIIO-2, set under the previous Government. Those costs are borne by all our households through inflated energy bills. With Ofgem’s new price control regime, RIIO-3, now published, can the Minister confirm that robust safeguards are in place to both secure vital investment, but also protect from profiteering and deliver value for money for bill payers?
Network companies have benefited in the past, but Ofgem has moved to correct that in the RIIO-3 price control period so that it cannot happen again. We are working with Ofgem every single day to ensure that we bear down on the costs of energy and that consumers benefit from cheaper bills as quickly as possible.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Michelle Scrogham Lab
Barrow and Furness
Context
Projects like Team Barrow and the regeneration of Barrow-in-Furness are dependent on energy security. The MESH project in the Irish Sea aims to deliver clean power, strengthen energy security, and create skilled jobs.
Without energy security, projects such as Team Barrow and the regeneration of Barrow-in-Furness more widely would be impossible to deliver. Does the Secretary of State agree that large-scale proposals, such as the MESH—Marram energy storage and decarbonisation hub—project in the Irish sea, can play an important role in delivering the Government’s clean power 2030 ambitions, strengthening energy security and creating skilled jobs? Will he meet EnergyPathways to discuss this project further?
It sounds like a really interesting project. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that there are huge opportunities. Opportunities abound when it comes to co-operation with our near neighbours and across the world to help our energy security, deliver clean power and bring down bills.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Vikki Slade LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Context
Andrew from Arrow Energy Solutions is concerned about the reform of the energy company obligation, which contributed to a significant portion of his heat pump and solar installations. The forthcoming warm homes plan aims to address energy efficiency.
My constituents welcome the £150 saving on energy bills, particularly as it is now snowing, but Andrew from Arrow Energy Solutions is worried. Some 35% of his heat pump and solar installations were through the energy company obligation. Although he says it needed reform, he is worried about what comes next. I welcome the forthcoming warm homes plan, but what can the Secretary of State say to Andrew and to H2ecO, another wonderful company, about the risk to jobs in that sector as we transition?
I want to briefly make one point. In the warm homes plan, which will come soon, we will be making £15 billion of public investment to help people cut their bills. The Conservatives can oppose that if they like, but I think it will be supported across the country, because they were an absolute failure on energy efficiency and all of that, and we are going to succeed.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Sonia Kumar Lab
Dudley
Context
The Brockmoor Energy and Environment Scheme was the first to be funded under the net zero neighbourhood programme by Richard Parker, the West Midlands Mayor.
Will the Minister set out what further measures he is taking to improve energy efficiency, retrofit homes and upgrade energy infrastructure in Dudley, and whether he agrees that the scheme should be expanded?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the work of the Brockmoor Energy and Environment Scheme. I met Richard Parker recently, and I hope to come and see some of these projects myself in the future. We will soon publish the warm homes plan, which will set out further plans to support such projects, but we have already allocated £1.8 billion to local authorities and social housing providers through the warm homes local grant, and the warm homes social housing fund.
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Q7 Direct Answer
Peter Bedford Con
Mid Leicestershire
Context
Since the Government came to office, the average household energy bill has increased by £200.
Will the Secretary of State commit to reviewing the green levies and taxes that continue to drive up energy prices for hard-working families?
The hon. Gentleman is wrong, if he listened to my answer earlier, because actually bills across 2025 were lower than in 2024. He should welcome our measures to cut bills by £150, but I am afraid that those on his Front Bench do not support us.
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Q8 Direct Answer
Alex Mayer Lab
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Context
AW Group in the constituency has two wind turbines and a solar array, but it gets muddled in with all other energy in the area.
Will the Minister consider community energy projects being able to sell direct to local consumers?
That is exactly the work we are looking at as part of the local power plan. As my hon. Friend points out, we are determined to unlock much more community-owned energy, to make it as easy as possible for communities to connect to the grid, and for these projects to deliver not just clean energy, but real social and economic benefits for communities.
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Q9 Direct Answer
Sarah Olney LD
Richmond Park
Context
The Secretary of State previously stated opposition to the third runway based on environmental principles.
Given that expansion will add an extra 8 to 9 megatonnes of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, can the Secretary of State confirm that it is still his intention to vote against a third runway at Heathrow?
The Secretary of State regularly meets Cabinet colleagues about these issues. This Government are absolutely clear that any expansion of Heathrow must be compatible with our legally binding carbon budgets and net zero targets. We are committed to ensuring that the economic benefits of airport expansions are delivered in line with our environmental and climate objectives.
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Q10 Direct Answer
Chris Webb Lab
Blackpool South
Context
There are no local jobs available for young people trained at the Blackpool and The Fylde college on vital renewable energy equipment.
Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can create those jobs? He is welcome any time to come to a sunny and slightly chilly Blackpool to see those students and the excellent work that they are doing.
My hon. Friend is a brilliant advocate for his constituency, and indeed for Blackpool. I would be very happy to meet him to talk about how we can ensure that the jobs that those young people want come to Blackpool.
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Q11 Direct Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
The area has logistics businesses with rooftops suitable for installing solar panels.
What conversations is the Department having with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that more solar panels can be installed on commercial properties?
The hon. Gentleman is right: we should have many, many more solar panels on rooftops. We agree with him on that. I met the UK Warehousing Association recently to look at some of the technical difficulties around ownership and insurance. We want to do whatever we can to unlock the potential, because we have rooftops across the country that can play a huge part in helping us to achieve our clean power mission.
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Q12 Partial Answer
Beccy Cooper Lab
Worthing West
Context
Dr Cooper highlights the progress of a major heat network project in her hometown, Worthing. She notes that while the project is underway, it has not yet been designated as a heat network zone by the Government.
My hometown of Worthing is already delivering a major heat network, but it is not yet designated as a heat network zone. Could the Minister please consider making this designation at the earliest possible opportunity, and ensuring that grid capacity supports early designation for advanced schemes?
Heat networks are crucial to future decarbonisation. I would be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that in detail.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct timeline or confirmation of designation.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Iqbal Mohamed Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
Context
Pozitive Energy, a supplier to businesses in Dewsbury and Batley constituency, has allegedly engaged in unfair practices against customers. It is accused of inaccurate billing, disconnection without notice, and demanding payment for disconnected meters.
Pozitive Energy is a supplier to businesses in my constituency. It has provided inaccurate contracts and bills to customers, and has tried to bill them for premises that they do not occupy. It has disconnected customers from the electricity supply without notice, and fraudulently sent electricity bills for a meter that it disconnected. Now Pozitive Energy is demanding payment of the standing charge for a meter. Will the Secretary of State investigate rogue suppliers, and advise on how we will protect customers?
If the hon. Member sends me the details, I would be more than happy to look into it. That would be a matter for Ofgem, but there is also recourse available through the Energy Ombudsman.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to an investigation without receiving specific details.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
GB Energy supports the installation of rooftop solar on schools, hospitals, and new housing. The Government have also proposed requiring new homes to be equipped with solar panels.
I am delighted that we are investing in more rooftop solar. GB Energy supports the deployment of rooftop solar on schools and hospitals in my constituency, and the Government are taking up my proposal that it be a requirement to have it on all new housing, but how can we make sure that we are not missing out on the opportunity to use other rooftops, from those on car parks to those on commercial warehouses?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We need a mix of technologies to achieve our clean power targets, and rooftops are an obvious place to use. I think there is broad consensus about how much we can use rooftops, even from those who disagree with other measures. GBE has invested to bring down bills for public institutions, including schools and hospitals, but we want to see much more solar on car parks and warehouses—everywhere we can possibly have it.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific plans or policies for wider deployment of rooftop solar.
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Caroline Voaden LD
South Devon
Context
Voaden reports on a significant gas supply cut-off affecting thousands of properties in her constituency during the coldest weekend of the year. While efforts have been made to reconnect customers, communication difficulties and access challenges remain.
Happy new year, Mr Speaker. This weekend, 4,600 properties in my constituency had their gas supply cut off, on the coldest weekend of the year. I commend Wales & West Utilities, which worked tirelessly to get people reconnected, but its efforts have been hampered by the inability to communicate effectively with residents, as it does not have a direct relationship with its customers. It has had to rely on social media, which is not great in an area with lots of elderly people. We have also been hampered by the high number of second homes, as engineers have not been able to gain access to those properties. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how providers such as Wales & West Utilities can communicate with households?
I thank the hon. Lady for engaging with me over the weekend on this issue. I am genuinely sorry that there are still so many customers who are not connected. The engineers are doing a fantastic job, but as she rightly says, the challenge is that they cannot reconnect until households are present to disconnect. That is causing significant problems, but they are doing everything they can. I am very happy to discuss this further.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific meeting or action plan.
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Q16 Partial Answer
Peter Swallow Lab
Bracknell
Context
Swallow notes that Bracknell Forest council has submitted a bid for a feasibility study on a district heat network to support local businesses and residents in reducing emissions and bills.
Bracknell Forest council has submitted a bid to the Heat Networks Delivery Unit for a feasibility study on a district heat network that would stretch across our town centre. Does the Minister agree that such schemes can support local businesses and residents in cutting emissions and bills?
My hon. Friend will have heard me say earlier how important heat networks are to decarbonisation. They will play such an important role in providing energy across our country in future. I am more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm the feasibility study approval or provide specific support details.
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Q17 Direct Answer
Darren Paffey Lab
Southampton Itchen
Context
Southampton is a major cruise port and has the second-biggest container terminal in the UK. The local industry is ready to invest in decarbonization but faces grid constraints at Nursling supply point.
Southampton is Europe’s leading cruise port and the second-biggest container terminal in the country. Our industry stands ready to invest millions in decarbonisation, but that is being held up by grid constraints at the Nursling supply point. Will the Minister meet me and local industry leaders to see how we can unlock the obvious environmental and economic benefits that this change would bring?
Our team would be happy to meet my hon. Friend. That question, and so many others, shows the huge opportunities arising from home-grown, clean power, including in fantastic Southampton.
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Q18 Partial Answer
Bradley Thomas Con
Bromsgrove
Context
The Secretary of State previously claimed that bills in April 2026 would be lower than in July 2024, but the price cap data suggests otherwise.
In response to my question about whether bills in April 2026 will be lower than in July 2024, the Secretary of State claimed that they would be. However, the price cap was £1,568 in July 2024 and is projected to be £1,620 in April 2026. Can you advise on how the House can seek a correction of the record?
You have certainly put that on the record. We are not going to continue the debate unless the Secretary of State wants to respond, which I doubt.
Assessment & feedback
The advice given does not provide a clear process for correcting the record.
No Opinion Not Responsible
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Q19 Direct Answer
Context
The Secretary of State previously claimed that bills in April 2026 would be lower than in July 2024, but the price cap data suggests otherwise.
Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I am happy to respond, because we are going to deal in the facts. Bills were lower in 2025 than in 2024 in real terms, and the price cap was lower—and, of course, making a seasonal comparison makes no sense. We are going to trade in the facts.
Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I am happy to respond, because we are going to deal in the facts. Bills were lower in 2025 than in 2024 in real terms, and the price cap was lower—and, of course, making a seasonal comparison makes no sense. We are going to trade in the facts.
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Q20 Partial Answer
Context
The Secretary of State was asked about the conflict between his past statements and current government policy.
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked the Secretary of State a direct question about his former statements and how they conflict with current Government policy. Would you agree that the Secretary of State should have directly answered me?
I do not have an opinion, and I am not responsible for that, but you have certainly got that on the record.
Assessment & feedback
No Opinion Not Responsible
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