Energy

A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper discussing key energy and climate change policy in relation to the negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and UK.

The so-called level playing field - rules on competition, state aid, taxation, labour and environmental standards, and climate change - are one of the main causes of disagreement between the UK and EU in the negotiations on their future partnership. This paper explains the commitments that both parties are proposing in these areas in order to come to a deal.

Average mid-May prices for petrol and diesel were 105.1 and 1112.2 pence per litre respectively. They fell rapidly after the coronavirus outbreak largely due to sharp drops in oil prices. The UK had the 13th highest petrol and 4th highest diesel prices in the EU+UK.

This briefing paper provides an overview of the economic regulation of the water industry in England and Wales. It provides an overview of the price review process that sets customer bills and water company service targets every 5-years. It includes a summary of the 2019 price review that followed increasing public scrutiny of the sector.

The tables in this paper provide a summary of the UK and EU positions in the future relationship negotiations, based on their proposed draft treaty texts and other publicly available statements

A short Commons Library Briefing paper providing an update on the water retail market for non-household customers in England. It includes information on support for business customers during the coronavirus outbreak in each nation.

This paper provides an update on the first three rounds of negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship and analysis of the draft new partnership treaty tabled by the EU in March 2020

This briefing covers background to the contract for difference mechanism for supporting low carbon power.

Some people have concerns about how the coronavirus pandemic might impact on the nation's critical infrastructure. This Insight examines the issues faced, and action being taken, by critical infrastructure providers during the pandemic.

A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper providing an overview of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale in the UK, including the latest UK Government moratorium for England, the approach in the devolved Administrations, the regulatory regime (petroleum exploration and development licences, environmental, planning, health and safety), and information on seismic events.

A Commons Library Briefing on carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS), providing information on the processes involved; key benefits and challenges; Government policy and Parliamentary scrutiny.

A Commons Library analysis of the Environment Bill 2019-20. The Bill was given its first reading on 30 January 2020 and passed its second reading without division on 26 February 2020. Committee stage started on 10 March 2020 but was adjourned on 19 March due to the impact of Coronavirus. The Public Bill Committee is suspended until a time and date to be fixed by the Chair of the committee.

The UK and EU begin negotiations over their future relationship this week. This paper outlines the UK and EU's objectives, the main issues of contention and the process being followed in the negotiations

This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall at 9.30am on Tuesday 24 February 2020 on the UK oil and gas industry. The debate will be opened by Andrew Bowie MP.

This Commons briefing paper attempts to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about solar panels.