Solar goods and services are global commodities, and it is likely that we will continue to require imports in the short to medium term.

The UK has a strong electrical manufacturing sector and there is an opportunity to scale this up through our ambitious Industrial Strategy, which has identified advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries as priority growth sectors, providing benefits for the manufacture of balance of system components, which are essential to enabling solar installations.

The Solar Roadmap also commits government to consider the case to further support companies wishing to scale up production of solar technologies and processes, including inverters.

Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system continues to be secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.

Maintaining security of energy supplies is a key priority and critical energy operators are required to meet a minimum standard of cyber security and resilience, through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018. Distributed and smaller-scale generation are key components of a smart and resilient energy system.

Maintaining security of energy supplies is a key priority and critical energy operators are required to meet a minimum standard of cyber security and resilience, through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018.

The Department works continually with Ofgem and the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure that these regulations continue to capture all the most critical operators of energy generation systems. Distributed and smaller-scale generation are key components of a smart and resilient energy system. We are working to ensure that the system is developed in a way which is secure by design.

The Department welcomes the London Fire Brigade's report into the causes of the New Providence Wharf fire and has noted the content.

Electrical equipment is required to meet the health and safety requirements under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations before it can be placed on the market. To meet these requirements many businesses will follow voluntary designated standards.

In response to the report, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has conducted an initial review of existing designated standards relevant to timer switches. This review has established that there are already standards in place which although not specifically for timer switches in consumer units, are broadly comparable with the standards for components intended for use in consumer units.

When a new consumer unit is installed, electrical regulations require this to be a metal consumer unit or a plastic consumer unit in a non-combustible enclosure. We will keep these requirements under review through our work with the industry committee responsible for development of BS7671, the standard used to show compliance with electrical safety regulations.

The Department welcomes the London Fire Brigade's report into the causes of the New Providence Wharf fire and has noted the content.

Electrical equipment is required to meet the health and safety requirements under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations before it can be placed on the market. To meet these requirements many businesses will follow voluntary designated standards.

In response to the report, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has conducted an initial review of existing designated standards relevant to timer switches. This review has established that there are already standards in place which although not specifically for timer switches in consumer units, are broadly comparable with the standards for components intended for use in consumer units.

When a new consumer unit is installed, electrical regulations require this to be a metal consumer unit or a plastic consumer unit in a non-combustible enclosure. We will keep these requirements under review through our work with the industry committee responsible for development of BS7671, the standard used to show compliance with electrical safety regulations.

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆) is a potent fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-gas) that contributes to climate change. F-gases currently represent about 3% of UK greenhouse gas emissions, with SF₆ emissions representing around 3% of those F-gas emissions. The UK has made significant progress in reducing and controlling the use of F-gases, highlighted by the 34.3% reduction in UK emissions of all F-gases since 1995 levels.

Compliance with the F-gas Regulation 2014 is how the UK currently controls SF₆ emissions. Under the Regulation, equipment containing SF₆ is subject to requirements on leak reduction, checking and rapid repair using appropriately qualified personnel. The intentional release of SF₆ is also prohibited and steps must be taken to minimise unintentional release.

We are currently reviewing the provisions of the F-gas Regulation which we are required to complete by no later than 2022. As part of the review, we will consider how we can go further in support of the UK's net zero target. We will be assessing all parts of the Regulation, including the provisions relating to SF₆ use, in light of this.

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆) is a potent fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-gas) that contributes to climate change. F-gases currently represent about 3% of UK greenhouse gas emissions, with SF₆ emissions representing around 3% of those F-gas emissions. The UK has made significant progress in reducing and controlling the use of F-gases, highlighted by the 34.3% reduction in UK emissions of all F-gases since 1995 levels.

Compliance with the F-gas Regulation 2014 is how the UK currently controls SF₆ emissions. Under the Regulation, equipment containing SF₆ is subject to requirements on leak reduction, checking and rapid repair using appropriately qualified personnel. The intentional release of SF₆ is also prohibited and steps must be taken to minimise unintentional release.

We are currently reviewing the provisions of the F-gas Regulation which we are required to complete by no later than 2022. As part of the review, we will consider how we can go further in support of the UK's net zero target. We will be assessing all parts of the Regulation, including the provisions relating to SF₆ use, in light of this.

In the ‘Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced our aim to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. We estimate that, in all future heat scenarios, we will need to hit this target to remain on track for net zero. We must therefore act now to scale up supply chains and build the UK heat pump market.

Our analysis of off gas grid homes suggests that around 70% to 80% of homes would have sufficient energy efficiency and internal fuse limit electrical connections to accommodate a low temperature heat pump system. This potentially rises to around 80% to 90% with fabric upgrades including draught-proofing, cavity wall insulation, floor and loft insulation, and/or more major upgrades such as external wall insulation.

The Department has a legal requirement to review the F gas Regulation and publish a comprehensive report by no later than 31 December 2022. This will include a review of the availability of technically feasible and cost-effective alternatives and will include an assessment of the use and alternatives to SF6 in electrical installations. The Department is now beginning internal work on the review and intends to engage with stakeholders on this work later this year.

Fuses and the fuse box (consumer unit) are the responsibility of the property owner, but some customers may have included maintenance of the consumer unit as part of a contract for the supply of electricity, or as a separate contract.

The regional Distribution Network Operator is responsible for maintenance of the main cut-out fuse (usually a 60, 80 or 100 amp fuse).

We have interpreted this question as referring to sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

In the EU Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulation (2014), equipment containing sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is subject to containment provisions, including leak checking obligations, a requirement to repair any detected leakages without undue delay and the need to use appropriately qualified personnel to perform these tasks. The Regulation also prohibits the intentional release of F-gases into the atmosphere, where the release is not technically necessary for the intended use.

The EU F-gases Regulation requires that the Commission publish a report by 1 July 2020, assessing whether cost-effective, technically feasible, energy-efficient and reliable alternatives exist, which make the replacement of SF6 possible in new medium-voltage secondary switchgear. It also requires that a comprehensive review of the EU F-gas regulation, including a consultation process, is published by December 2022.

All requirements of the Regulation, including the above, will be retained in UK law after EU exit.

No recent assessments have been made of the effectiveness of the Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations. Regulation 24 requires the cut-out to be locked or sealed to prevent supply interference by unauthorised persons.

The Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement is a multi-party contract between licensed electricity distributors, suppliers and generators in Great Britain concerned with the use of the electricity distribution system. My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is not a party to this agreement. The industry regulator, Ofgem, is responsible for approving changes to this agreement.

Government and Ofgem have launched a review into the rules that govern our energy system to develop options for improving the codes and their governance. The Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement is in the scope of this review.

There are no plans to change the Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations. Regulation 24 requires the cut-out to be locked or sealed to prevent supply interference by unauthorised persons.

The Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement is a multi-party contract between licensed electricity distributors, suppliers and generators in Great Britain concerned with the use of the electricity distribution system. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is not a party to this agreement. The industry regulator, Ofgem, is responsible for approving changes to this agreement.

Government and Ofgem have launched a review into the rules that govern our energy system to develop options for improving the codes and their governance. The Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement is in the scope of this review.

No discussions have taken place between officials in my Department and the manufacturers and suppliers of moulded plastic fuse boards.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology has recently established a Project Team to look into this issue and advise the British Standards Institute on the adequacy of current standards. Manufacturers and suppliers of consumer units are members of the Project Team and officials from my Department will be attending future meetings.

Safety standards for electrical equipment are set by the British Standards Institute.

My Department has made no assessment of the risks of fire in the home caused by an increase in the use of moulded plastic fuse boxes. However, I am aware that the British Standards Institute is currently considering the issue of overheated cut out fuses following a report by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

The categories used in the Fire and Rescue Incident Recording System do not specifically identify this type of cause of fire.

The Government have engaged with electrical contractors, the Energy Network Association, (ENA) the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), Ofgem and individual members of the public on this topic. A DECC representative attended the ESC's electrical safety summit in March where it was raised and it has been considered at DECC's smart meter operational issues stakeholder group whose members include energy suppliers and network operators. DECC will continue to engage with industry and Ofgem to assist their ongoing consideration of this matter.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has made no estimate of the costs currently incurred by registered electricians wishing to isolate the electricity supplies of individual dwellings; nor how that impacts on the predicted cost savings associated with the Building Regulations review. Building Regulations do not restrict access to electrical isolators.