Since my appointment a fortnight ago, the Energy Bill—which will deliver cheaper, cleaner, more secure energy—was given a Third Reading in this House. We have funded a record 95 renewable energy projects, and I have visited our pioneering Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. I have also launched the £1 billion Great British insulation scheme. We have bolstered our energy collaborations with Ireland and Japan, we have made our biggest ever climate finance pledge, and just yesterday we invited partners to invest in Sizewell C, a major component of our nuclear revival.

I thank my right hon. Friend for raising this issue today. I understand that concerns have been raised by local communities about the National Grid electricity transmission plans for network reinforcement between Norwich and Tilbury. The Minister for Nuclear and Networks, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie), has visited the area and will continue to engage with colleagues, but I am also happy to meet local MPs to discuss the matter further.

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Government are raising a 75% energy profits levy, and he will also be aware that standing charges are a matter for Ofgem. Let me reiterate, however, that we are mindful of the cost of living crisis and have been providing support with the warm home discount, the £900 cost of living payment, and a raft of other measures to support people through this crisis.

The Government set the aspiration in the clean growth strategy of upgrading as many homes as possible to energy performance certificate band C by 2035, where practical, cost-effective and affordable. We remain committed to that aspiration. Although tax policy sits with the Treasury, we are considering how to improve energy efficiency for owner-occupied homes and plan to consult by the end of 2023.

I can assure the hon. Lady that we are in constant conversations with Ofgem on such matters. Although this is a matter for Ofgem, I have a regular meeting to make sure that we are on top of this.

The Environment Agency's recent consultation on varying the environmental permit for the Beddington energy recovery plant closed on 1 September. The Environment Agency will carefully consider all relevant responses and issue a final decision in due course.

Of course we are aware of the challenges that are facing consumers this coming winter, which is why we are keeping the price cap as a safety net. To give the hon. Gentleman reassurance, we will be monitoring the situation in case we need to look at this further.

The zero-emission vehicles mandate supports our commitment to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. By setting it many years in advance and giving clear notice to the market, it provides appropriate stimulus to industry in a way that the ultra low emission zone singularly fails to do, as my hon. Friend will have noted.

We have infrastructure dating from the 1970s and are moving at maximum speed. Technological and economic challenges exist, but we support the methane pledge and aim to exceed it.

The Government will promote a hydrogen economy, including production, demand, networks, and storage. We published the low-carbon hydrogen agreement in August and plan to award contracts by quarter 4 of 2023.

I will write to the hon Gentleman.

Planning policy encourages large-scale solar projects on previously developed or lower-value land. Where greenfield sites are used, developers must justify and mitigate impacts. I am happy to meet the hon Friend.

Retrofitting is important and skills are an issue. We aim to enhance our skill bases through this project.

Last year we were dependent on fossil fuels for 77% of our energy. LNG has four times the production emissions compared to domestic gas. The Scottish National party threatens jobs, tax revenue, and technological capability, which is madness.

We are investing hundreds of millions for industry transition and agree on importance of innovation to strengthen industries through it.

I look forward to discussing this issue with the hon Member and ensuring we have a coherent position on rewarding communities hosting transmission infrastructure and other parts of our transition.

We have put in place the Energy Price Guarantee to ensure that prices will not go up and note that prices are currently coming down.

We have met all our carbon budgets to date. The Climate Change Committee increased its confidence in us meeting carbon budget 4, confirming we will meet net zero targets by 2050 following their advice.

I thank the hon Gentleman for our meetings and acknowledge the situation. We have given support and will continue monitoring it.