Energy policy is a transferred matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. DESNZ holds regular discussions with NI Executive on broader energy matters, including through our Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-ministerial Group.

The Government is taking a range of steps to make heat pumps more affordable and remove barriers to their installation. This includes providing grants of £7,500 under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), supporting innovation and reviewing permitted development rights.

For the small number of homes where a heat pump is not suitable, we expect other technologies to play a role in the transition to clean heat. We continue to build the evidence base on alternative technologies and this research will inform future policy development.

The Government believes that renewable liquid fuels could play a limited role in heating. As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, we expect to prioritise the use of renewable liquid fuels in sectors like aviation, and potentially homes that are not readily suitable for heat pumps, as these offer the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions and have fewest options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies.

In the 2024 Northern Ireland Executive restoration financial package worth over £3.3 billion, the UK Government has committed to implement a 24% needs-based factor into the Barnett formula for the Northern Ireland Executive from 2024-25 onwards.

Funding provided to the Northern Ireland Executive through the Barnett formula is not ringfenced. This provides the Executive with the flexibility to allocate resources in devolved areas as they see fit and assign funding in response to their priorities.

The UK Government has no plans to replace the Barnett Formula

The Government intends to issue the consultation by September this year, in line with commitments made by ministers during Parliamentary debates on the Energy Act.

The Government will consult on the potential role of renewable liquid fuels in heat by September, in line with commitments made during the passage of the Energy Act. The Department is developing the consultation at pace and its final scope and terms of reference will be confirmed in due course.

Energy prices have fallen significantly compared to last winter, and the Government is continuing to support those most in need.

Millions of vulnerable households are receiving up to £900 in further Cost of Living Payments, with an extra £150 to those on eligible disability benefits, in addition to established financial support available for low income and vulnerable households through the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount.

The Government has announced an increase to the National Living Wage benefiting around 2.7 million workers, an increase to benefits of 6.7%, and tax cuts which will benefit around 27 million people.

The Government ‘Help to Heat’ schemes ensure homes will be warmer and cheaper to heat. The Government will deliver upgrades to over half a million homes in the coming years through our Social Housing Decarbonisation and Home Upgrade Grant Schemes and Energy Company Obligation Scheme.

The £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £5,000 and £6,000 grants for Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps, respectively.

The Government has also launched a home retrofit tool on GOV.UK, ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’. Users can get tailored recommendations for home improvements that could make their property cheaper to heat and keep warm.

As set out in its British Energy Security Strategy, the Government is committed to accelerating the process of building and connecting electricity network infrastructure to accommodate both new clean, affordable generation and demand. This includes working with Ofgem, network companies and the supply chain to dramatically reduce timelines for delivering strategic onshore transmission infrastructure and to speed up connections to the local distribution networks.

In the Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government noted that improving the energy performance of buildings and installing low carbon heating can deliver benefits in both areas, especially for those living in fuel poverty. For health, it was stated this can include avoiding physical illnesses, such as heart and lung conditions and help those experiencing cold-related sickness. For wellbeing, making energy efficiency improvements can improve mental wellbeing, as it reduces energy costs, as well as increasing productivity by making homes warmer and more comfortable.

The Government did not have specific conversations regarding how health and wellbeing is applied within the context of the Heat and Buildings Strategy. The Government is committed to engaging with a range of stakeholders and the wider public to deliver on the Strategy’s ambitions, including health bodies, where appropriate.

Electrification of heat is the only option proven to decarbonise off grid homes at scale. BEIS analysis suggests that it would be feasible to install low temperature heat pumps in around 80% of fossil fuel heated off gas grid homes.

The Government has consulted on proposals to end the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid from 2026, with a ‘heat pump first’ approach to replacement heating systems. Under these proposals, homes that cannot reasonably practicably install a heat pump will have a choice of heating technologies that are consistent with net zero. The Government is considering the responses to the consultation and will respond in due course.

I refer my hon Friend to the reply given by my Rt Hon Friend the Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change (Greg Hands) to Question UIN 128456.

The Heat and Buildings Strategy sets out the steps the Government is taking to make the transition to low carbon buildings affordable and achievable for all, including by committing £3.9 billion to ensure buildings are warmer and cheaper to heat, while supporting jobs across the country.

Households will benefit from £5,000 government grants through the £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme to help install low-carbon heating systems. The scheme will support the deployment of low carbon heat by helping to scale the heat pump market and support consumers with the upfront costs alongside a wider framework of polices as we aim to reach 600,000 installations per year by 2028.

The £950m Home Upgrade Grant will also provide support to low income off gas grid households by installing energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating while the £800 million Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund will help to improve the energy performance of social rented homes.

Government supports community use of listed churches through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme which refunds VAT paid on facilities to aid greater use of the building. This includes electrical and heating works, along with kitchens and toilets. The scheme is presently funded up to £42million per annum.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is also able to support the repair and modernisation of building services and facilities in historic places of worship. Those interested in accessing the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund can contact representatives of the Fund in their local area for guidance on how to apply.

In addition, The Taylor Review, funded to £1.8 million, is piloting new approaches to sustainability and greater community use of listed places of worship.

Government funding for open calls for direct grants to volunteer groups are also published on www.gov.uk.

The Government’s recent consultation on reform of the Renewable Heat Incentive included a proposal to withdraw RHI support for solar thermal technologies. The consultation closed on 27 April. In taking a decision on the future of support for solar thermal we will consider all relevant factors including potential effects on the UK supply chain.

Under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive the UK has a target to deliver 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. The government recognises that solar thermal can contribute towards the attainment of the renewable energy target. In 2014, renewable heat provided 2730 tonnes of oil equivalent, around 20% of total renewable energy. Around 2% of renewable heat came from solar thermal.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/renewable-sources-of-energy-chapter-6-digest-of-united-kingdom-energy-statistics-dukes

Any measure which reduces the energy costs faced by a fuel poor home will have a beneficial impact on tackling fuel poverty. However, in order to tackle fuel poverty most cost effectively, it is right to focus on measures that can yield the greatest reductions in energy needs at least cost.

For example, low cost insulation is typically more cost effective in improving the energy efficiency of fuel poor homes than other measures, including solar thermal.

That is why Government is committed to insulating 1m homes this Parliament, helping to tackle the root cause of fuel poverty through cost effective policy.