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Net Zero Transition: Consumer-led Flexibility
09 December 2025
Lead MP
Claire Young
Thornbury and Yate
LD
Responding Minister
Michael Shanks
Tags
TaxationClimate
Word Count: 8600
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Claire Young raised concerns about net zero transition: consumer-led flexibility in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Unlocking consumer-led flexibility could cut the average household electricity bill by up to £375 by 2040, but requires urgent action from the Government on smart meters and digital inclusion.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The current grid cannot move electricity from generation-rich areas to demand-heavy areas, leading to peak demand issues and constraint payments costing nearly £1.3 billion this year with projections rising to up to £8 billion by 2030.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Suggests starting flexibility earlier with the emergence of solar technology and supports the idea of rewarding consumers when renewables are plentiful, advocating for changes to network costs and consumption levies.
Claire Young
Lab
Bolton West
Highlighted the potential for lowering bills and generating clean energy jobs.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Expressed concern about the government's direction on energy, highlighting issues with weather-dependent capacity and the need for firm power. Responds to the intervention, highlighting that while trains continue to run 24/7, a system dependent on renewable sources fails when wind does not blow or sun does not shine.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Emphasised the need for urgency in implementing flexibility-first measures discussed by Claire Young. Discussed the benefits of consumer-led flexibility in enabling individuals to control their energy bills through information and choice, highlighting the importance of practical implementation.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Expresses pleasure at seeing the Minister in his place and anticipates positive remarks from him. Asked about the poor take-up of smart meters in Northern Ireland and sought help to improve this situation.
Martin Wrigley
Lab
Wirral West
Draws an analogy between consumer-led electricity consumption flexibility and off-peak train tickets.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Emphasised the need to balance environmental goals with affordability, suggesting that people want to embrace green energy but not at a significant financial cost.
Sharon Hodgson
Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
Highlights developments in her constituency regarding electric vehicles, wind power, solar energy, mine-water heating, and district energy schemes. Emphasizes the need for consumer-led flexibility to lower bills for households in fuel poverty.
Government Response
Michael Shanks
The Minister for Energy
Government Response
Emphasises the importance of consumer-led flexibility in delivering cheaper and more secure power to homes and businesses. Highlights innovations such as mine water heating schemes, stresses the need for strategic planning and building more grid infrastructure, and commits to discussing consumer-led flexibility more openly in public in the coming months. Discussed the benefits of consumer-led flexibility, including cost savings and bill reduction. Mentioned a £1.5 billion commitment through the warm homes plan to upgrade low-income households and emphasized the importance of technology in achieving this goal. Commits to delivering a clean power system, emphasising flexibility and innovation from private sector and communities. Acknowledges progress in consumer migration to half-hourly settlement, NESO consultations, Ofgem assessments, and smart secure electricity systems programme.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.