Topical Questions 2024-04-16
2024-04-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the recent survey showing that 88% of respondents from off-grid households want renewable liquid fuel options.
The consultation on renewable liquid fuels from September is welcome, but the Future Ready Fuel campaign showed that 88% of respondents from off-grid households actively want the option of switching to a renewable liquid fuel. Will my right hon. Friend work with me to ensure that we can get consumers the choices they actually want?
We are supporting off-grid homes through the boiler upgrade scheme, grants up to £7,500. Renewable fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil have potential in heating off-grid buildings, and we will issue a consultation on this role by September.
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Assessment & feedback
N/A - Fully addressed the issue with specifics.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP paid tribute to Mr Speaker's father and criticized the previous Minister's failure in delivering full compensation to those affected by forced installation of prepayment meters.
After presiding over the scandal of forced installation of prepayment meters, the predecessor promised full compensation but only 150,000 out of 1.5 million people got it. Why has she failed to deliver justice?
We have made clear that forced prepayment meter installation for vulnerable households should not take place and I am working with Ofgem to ensure people get the compensation they deserve at speed.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on compensation delivery timeline and amounts missing.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticized the Secretary of State for her role in energy policy failures.
It is a year on; the right hon. Lady should deliver compensation but fails across the board: onshore wind ban remains, offshore wind market crashes, insulation schemes disaster, appeasing anti-net zero brigade.
This Government worked with Ofgem to stop forced prepayment meter installation for vulnerable households. We are working on compensation and refuting Labour's plans as uninvestable, bill-hiking, costing £100 billion plus needed taxes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address her failure in delivering full compensation.
Criticizing Opposition
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discussed the need for Pumpwatch to provide local fuel prices updated every 30 minutes.
We have seen fuel price increases at petrol stations. The CMA looked into it, and Government is coming forward with Pumpwatch. Can we ensure an advertising campaign when this launches?
We will publish the response to the Pumpwatch consultation soon, and work closely with CMA and sector technology companies to launch Pumpwatch this year. Of course, we will make sure that everyone knows about this valuable resource.
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Assessment & feedback
Advertising campaign specifics not fully detailed.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from an announcement last year that 200 DESNZ jobs would move to Aberdeen, championed by the Secretary of State. However, only 35 jobs are actually moving, a mere 0.37% of DESNZ workforce.
We learned last year that no fewer than 200 Department for Energy Security and Net Zero jobs were going to transfer from London to Aberdeen. That was championed by the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister responsible for nuclear and renewables. It now transpires that only 35 jobs will transfer to Aberdeen. Is the Secretary of State content for that derisory transfer of jobs from her Department to Aberdeen?
We are very proud that we have announced Aberdeen as our second headquarters, hosting more than 100 staff and aiming for over 135 by March 2027. Unlike the Scottish National Party, we champion the north-east of Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specifics about addressing the job transfer issue were not directly answered.
Unlike The Scottish National Party, We Champion The North-East Of Scotland.
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Residents in Cranbrook and Tithebarn have faced frequent energy outages and poor customer service from E.ON's district heating networks. The Government's Energy Act 2023 aims to regulate such issues.
Residents in Cranbrook and Tithebarn have faced frequent energy outages and woeful customer service from E.ON's district heating networks. Will my right hon. Friend outline when this regulation will be brought in?
The initial phase of heat network regulation, including transparency rules, will come into force in 2025. Some requirements such as pricing regulation and guaranteed performance standards will be introduced in the second-phase regulation in 2026.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Delays in track 1 carbon capture and storage expansion and track 2 timelines could endanger the Humber's status as a global leader, private investment of £15 billion, industrial decarbonisation, and economic growth.
Does the Minister acknowledge that delays in track 1 carbon capture and storage expansion and track 2 timelines endanger the Humber's status as a global leader in hydrogen and CCS, endanger £15 billion of private investment and jeopardise industrial decarbonisation and economic growth?
We recognise the role that CCS can play for the economy in the Humber and across Britain. We have set out £20 billion of investment committed to this sector, an ambitious road map was set just before Christmas, and we continue to meet investors to speed up the process.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents of Romford are prioritising energy security, self-sufficiency, and sovereignty over greener energy sources. Concerns about the affordability of the net zero agenda have been raised.
I have been speaking to my constituents about the whole net zero agenda. Although they support cleaner and greener energy sources, their priority is energy security, self-sufficiency, and sovereignty. I am worried that many people cannot afford this extreme agenda which could end up giving China a competitive advantage and bankrupting our country.
We have to win hearts and minds. That is why my hon. Friend will welcome our “Powering Up Britain” plan to secure our energy system by ensuring a resilient and reliable supply, increasing our energy efficiency.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The former Energy Minister left the post. Question about whether it was due to losing his seat or dissatisfaction with energy policy.
Did the former Energy Minister leave because he is worried about losing his seat to Labour at the next election, or because he could no longer bear to support the woeful energy policy of this Government?
I direct the hon. Gentleman to the letter of my right hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness.
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Assessment & feedback
Directing To A Letter Instead Of Answering Directly.
Response accuracy
Q10
Direct Answer
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Context
The Government's getting building fund initiated the Lancashire Centre for Alternative Technologies in Clayton-le-Moors. The Minister is invited to see how it supports low-carbon technology commercialisation.
Will the Minister agree to visit to see how the centre is providing financial and research and development support to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies?
I would, of course, be delighted to visit my hon. Friend in her constituency at any time.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
A report from York University suggests that the poorest 40% of UK households will be made worse off by net zero policies. Concerns about financial impact and potential influence from climate activists.
Energy Security and Net Zero questions has once again proved to me how out of touch this place is with the rest of the country. The poorest 40% of UK households will be made much worse off by net zero policies, according to a report from York University. Can the Minister confirm how much net zero will cost?
I am very proud of what this Government have done to protect the poorest in society from rising bills, which are the result of international factors and a volatile gas market. Frankly, voting Reform will achieve nothing.
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Assessment & feedback
Deflecting Towards Voting Implications.
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Representatives of the Riddings Lane solar action group are concerned about a new solar farm covering extensive land between villages, proposing that it should not go on prime agricultural land.
Does the Minister agree that solar farms are great but should not go on prime agricultural land?
We have a presumption against building on the best and most versatile agricultural land. Due to my quasi-judicial role in planning I cannot speak to the issue directly, but I am very happy to meet him and any representatives from his constituency to discuss the project.
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Assessment & feedback
Quasi-Judicial Role Preventing Direct Comments.
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
A local village pub is struggling with energy debts and high bills, threatening to close. Pubs are central to community life.
I have been contacted by a popular village pub that is struggling with its energy debt and astronomical energy bill. Such pubs are at the heart of our local communities and they are closing at an alarming rate. Will the Secretary of State consider measures to enable them to manage their historical debt by allowing them to pay it off more slowly, or supporting them in another way so that we can keep these important pubs open?
I could not agree more that these pubs are at the heart of our communities, which is one reason why I have regular meetings with UKHospitality to think about how we can look at bills, including things such as blend and extend.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address specific measures or commitments to help pubs manage energy debt.
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
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Context
A company called Mona Lifting on Ynys Môn has been working hard to install solar panels and charging points with the help of £2.7 million from the community renewal fund.
On Ynys Môn, companies such as Mona Lifting in Llangefni, supported by the Green Digital Academy, which has been funded by £2.7 million from the community renewal fund, are working hard to use their businesses to help to deliver net zero with the installation of solar panels and charging points. Does the Minister agree that it is thanks to the UK Government that innovative, forward-thinking companies such as Mona Lifting are leading the way so we can deliver net zero?
My hon. Friend once again champions her constituency, working with businesses so that in conjunction we can drive up our use of renewables. It is thanks to this Government that we changed the planning rules to make it easier to set up large-scale solar installations. I also welcome households playing their part, with 17,000 solar-panel installations a month last year.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent switched to an electric car but now faces high costs and lack of charging points, leading to fuel poverty.
My constituent Joe Stean did the right thing and switched the family car to electric, but now the cost and lack of charging points have put him into fuel poverty. What are the Government doing to encourage charging options for people who do not live in detached homes? Is it true that the new Minister voted against the zero-emissions vehicle mandate?
It is an important point. As a proud electric car driver, I have concerns that not all people have equal access to charging, which I have on the driveway to my house. I was therefore thrilled when the Government managed to deliver a 50% increase in EV charging points in the last year alone.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address specific measures for non-detached home residents.
Response accuracy
Q16
Direct Answer
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Context
Energy security and food security are national priorities. Rooftop solar installations can address energy needs without impacting prime agricultural land.
Energy security is national security, and food security is national security. Up and down the country there are plenty of rooftops, residential, industrial and agricultural, that are suitable for solar panels. Will my hon. Friend the Minister reassure the country that we will prioritise those sites for our solar footprint, rather than jeopardising prime food-producing land or, indeed, our precious greenbelt?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Food security and energy security are both vital, which is why the UK solar taskforce identified the need to address barriers relating to rooftop solar deployment, including access to finance as a priority. The rooftop subgroup was established to focus specifically on this area, and we are exploring options to facilitate low-cost finance from retail lenders to help households and businesses with the up-front cost of solar installation on rooftops.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government's figures show that 4 million smart meters are faulty, raising concerns about the effectiveness of energy-saving measures.
Smart meters are vital to help families to cut bills and save money on their energy outlay, yet the Government's own figures show that 4 million smart meters are faulty. Is that not another catastrophic failure? When is the Secretary of State going to get a grip on the issue?
Clearly this is an issue that concerns us in the Government, which is why we are striving to do everything that we can to make sure that we are solving the issue.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide a specific timeline or action plan for resolving faulty smart meters.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Giant pylons associated with the transmission route have caused concern in highland communities. Undergrounding cables could alleviate these concerns.
The giant pylons—they are absolutely huge—associated with the transmission route have caused grave concern in the highlands. Can I have an assurance that strong consideration will be given to undergrounding the cables near the communities that are affected and, indeed, to going under the ocean where that is possible?
While the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) heckles to say that there is yet another nimby, we recognise that we want to work with communities and respect local knowledge to inform present and future works. All transmission projects are required to progress through the robust planning process, which includes statutory consultations and individual planning reviews, and I am sure that the hon. Member will feed into that directly.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer discusses the consultation process but does not address undergrounding cables.
Heckles To Say That There Is Yet Another Nimby
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Only a small percentage of properties in the UK have an energy performance certificate, and many are rated below standard. Last year's improvement was minimal.
Forty per cent. of properties in this country do not even have an energy performance certificate, and of those that do in the private rented sector, and in the private ownership sector, only 30% are EPC C rated. Last year, we made an improvement of only 1%. EPC C is the standard, so when does the Minister expect that we will ever get to 100% EPC C in our housing stock, and what are the Government doing to increase the speed of the process?
The pace of delivery of the Great British insulation scheme is accelerating quickly, with the rate of delivery doubling over the past three months. We have a proud record on energy efficiency. In 2010, we inherited a situation in which only 14% of homes were well insulated, but now we have that figure up to nearly 50%.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on EPC C ratings or a timeline for reaching the target.
Response accuracy