Every parliamentary written question tabled by Claire Coutinho this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 66 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Whether he has established a dedicated bill team within his Department to oversee the Nuclear Regulation Bill.
We are taking forward all of the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review and have published our implementation plan with all reforms expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The Department is actively progressing work on the Nuclear Regulatio...
Whether he intends to introduce the Nuclear Regulation Bill before the summer recess.
We are taking forward all of the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review and have published our implementation plan with all reforms expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The Department is actively progressing work on the Nuclear Regulatio...
When he intends to introduce the Nuclear Regulation Bill.
We are taking forward all of the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review and have published our implementation plan with all reforms expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The Department is actively progressing work on the Nuclear Regulatio...
What plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals in the Nuclear Regulation Bill.to implement recommendations 11 and 12 of the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 in full.
We are taking forward all of the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review and have published our implementation plan with all reforms expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The Department is actively progressing work on the Nuclear Regulatio...
Whether he has received assurances from National Energy System Operator that the drop in frequency in the electricity grid on 2 May 2026 will not be repeated.
Electricity system frequency remained within statutory limits at all times on 2nd May 2026. These statutory limits are defined in the Security and Quality of Supply Standard.
What estimate he has made of the cost of frequency response services in the electricity grid in each year since 2000.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) procures frequency response services as part of a wider suite of balancing services to maintain system frequency within statutory limits. This data is published by NESO in the Monthly Balancing Services Summary.
What was responsible for the drop in frequency in the electricity grid at 16:00 on 2 May 2026.
The drop in frequency in the electricity grid on 2 May 2026 was caused by a combination of factors, including a rapid increase in demand coinciding with a net interconnector reduction. Frequency remained within statutory limits at all times.
What action he is taking to ensure frequency stability within the GB electricity grid.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating the Great Britain electricity system and maintaining system frequency within statutory limits. This responsibility is established through NESO's licence obligations, which are regulat...
Which organisation is responsible for ensuring that the frequency of the electricity grid remains within statutory limits.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating the Great Britain electricity system and maintaining system frequency within statutory limits. This responsibility is established through NESO's licence obligations, which are oversee...
With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and California deepen ties on clean energy to boost investment, published on 16 February 2026, if he will set out each individual agreement, treaty or Memorandum of Understanding signed between his Department and a foreign (a) national government or (b) local, regional, federal or state arms of government since 4 July 2024.
The Department works closely with counterpart ministries to develop and maintain a range of ongoing partnerships that help advance our Clean Power 2030 Mission and wider priorities including the Growth Mission. We have signed a range of non-legally binding partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) since July 2024. These are not routinely published or notified to Parliament, in line with HMG policy on non- legally binding instruments.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and California deepen ties on clean energy to boost investment, published on 16 February 2026, if he will set out each agreement, treaty or Memorandum of Understanding signed between his Department and an international or supranational organisation since 4 July 2024.
We have signed a range of non-legally binding partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) since July 2024. These are not routinely published or notified to Parliament, in line with HMG policy on non- legally binding instruments.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and California deepen ties on clean energy to boost investment, published on 16 February 2026, whether his Department has formally signed any specific agreements with China since 4 July 2024.
We have signed a range of non-legally binding partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) since July 2024. These are not routinely published or notified to Parliament, in line with HMG policy on non- legally binding instruments.
What memoranda of understanding were signed by Ministers in his Department with i) national governments and ii) representatives of national governments in 2025.
Departmental Ministers engage with a range of national governments and representatives to support delivery of the department’s objectives. The Department works closely with counterpart ministries to develop and maintain a range of ongoing partnerships that help advance our Clean Power 2030 Mission and wider priorities including the Growth Mission.
Whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].
We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled New auction delivers unprecedented clean, homegrown power, published on 10 February 2026, if he will publish the internal analysis showing that the renewable generation capacity awarded in Allocation Round 7 will reduce household bills.
The press notice 'Notes to editors' section provides a published summary of the analysis. We are not planning any further publications on AR7.
Whether the Government's position that aligning the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme will prevent an £800 million impact from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, refers to savings in a single year or to a cumulative impact over multiple years.
Linking the UK ETS and EU ETS is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the UK. These include providing businesses with access to a larger, stable carbon market; the removal of regulatory barriers in sectors like CO2 storage; supporting UK renewable rollout; and lowering electricity costs in the long run. Additionally, linking is expected to create the conditions for mutual CBAM exemptions, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms. The £800m estimate is from a Frontier Economics report and refers to cumulative savings between 2026 and 2030.
Whether his Department conducted a cost-benefit analysis to support the decision to link the UK Emissions Trading Scheme with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
Government analysis indicates linking could stimulate economic growth, adding billions annually to our economy each year in the long run. Linking the UK and EU ETSs is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the UK. These include for example providing businesses with access to a larger, stable carbon market; and the removal of some of the regulatory barriers in sectors like CO2 storage. Additionally, linking is expected to create the conditions for mutual CBAM exemptions, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms.
What the source is for the Government's claim that aligning the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme will save British businesses £800 million.
Linking the UK ETS and EU ETS is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the UK. These include providing businesses with access to a larger, stable carbon market; the removal of regulatory barriers in sectors like CO2 storage; supporting UK renewable rollout; and lowering electricity costs in the long run. Additionally, linking is expected to create the conditions for mutual CBAM exemptions, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms. The £800m estimate is from a Frontier Economics report and refers to cumulative savings between 2026 and 2030.
Whether any cost benefit analysis conducted by his Department on linking the UK Emissions Trading Scheme with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme assessed the potential impact of higher UK Allowance prices on UK industry and consumers as a result of price convergence.
The price of carbon allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme is set by the market.As the conveners of the market the Government is not able to comment on current prices and price movements. Linking the UK ETS and EU ETS is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the UK. These include for example providing businesses with access to a larger, stable carbon market; and the removal of some of the regulatory barriers in sectors like CO2 storage. Additionally, linking is expected to create the conditions for mutual CBAM exemptions, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms.
What assessment his Department has made of the additional cost to businesses and consumers since the beginning of 2025 arising from increase UK ETS Allowance prices following the announcement of the Government’s intention to link the UK Emissions Trading Scheme with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
The price of carbon allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme is set by the market.As the conveners of the market the Government is not able to comment on current prices and price movements. Linking the UK ETS and EU ETS is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the UK. These include for example providing businesses with access to a larger, stable carbon market; and the removal of some of the regulatory barriers in sectors like CO2 storage. Additionally, linking is expected to create the conditions for mutual CBAM exemptions, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms.