iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

We've published our @nao.org.uk report on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, including this excellent visual summary by our Design Team. While the government smoothly transitioned to the UK ETS after Brexit, its incentives for future decarbonisation are uncertain www.nao.org.uk/reports/uk-e...

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

My first study in my new role will be looking at the BBC World Service and will focus on how effectively the BBC is transforming the World Service in line with its strategy. More details here: www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

nao.org.uk

BBC World Service - NAO work in progress

This study will focus on how effectively the BBC is transforming the World Service in line with its strategy.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

One of the great benefits of working at @nao.org.uk is the opportunity to move every few years to a new team. From this week, I will be moving to be Director of our value-for-money work on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the BBC. www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-...

linkedin.com

Simon Bittlestone on LinkedIn: UK Emissions Trading Scheme - NAO work in progress

One of the great benefits of working at the NAO is the opportunity to move every few years to a new team, to cover a new area of government and get to grips…

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Been a few ‘one year on’ moments in the last few days, but a year ago today was an all-time great. Fans descending on Plainmoor from all over to show their love for the club. It was clear from that day there was a club worth saving #tufc #ttid

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Devising new assurance arrangements requires government to consider some trade offs, including between the cost of the assurance arrangements and the rate of non-compliance it is willing to accept. I'm sure PAC will follow up on these issues in its inquiry committees.parliament.uk/work/8906/go...

committees.parliament.uk

Government support for biomass - Committees - UK Parliament

Over £20bn in support for businesses and households using biomass (such as plants or food waste) for fuel has been provided by Government since 2002. In combination with carbon capture, usage and stor...

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Our view in our report last year was the government could not demonstrate it's current assurance arrangements (for the 70% threshold) were adequate because it had not evaluated their effectiveness www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...

nao.org.uk

The government’s support for biomass - NAO report

Government has provided over £20 billion of support to biomass businesses but it can't yet demonstrate adherence to its sustainability rules.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

The government's announcement that it is extending support for Drax beyond 2027, but with the threshold for sustainable sources raising from 70% to 100%, will require it to devise an appropriate assurance approach.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

The Public Accounts Committee has opened an inquiry on biomass, which will be informed by the report we published last year. www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-... Stakeholders have until 13 February to submit written evidence to inform the inquiry. committees.parliament.uk/work/8906/go...

committees.parliament.uk

Government support for biomass - Committees - UK Parliament

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

We said in our CCUS report that government would struggle to achieve its ambition to capture and store 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030. The DESNZ Minister has now written to the ESNZ Committee saying that ambition 'is no longer achievable' committees.parliament.uk/publications...

committees.parliament.uk

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

For the committed listeners willing to hang around long enough, there is some rich Danny Hollands content. Also, you will not believe my Gosport Fact!* *You may well believe it, but would do well to pay attention if you need travel advice for getting to our game on 4/1 #tufc t.co/uh3MFCBdCn

t.co

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-torquay/episodes/Talking-Torquay-Ep-177-e2sd4v5

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

One of the privileges of my job is the going to Parliament and seeing public scrutiny in action! This morning was the Public Accounts Committee session on CCUS, where MPs questioned DESNZ and HM Treasury officials about their plans for the technology. committees.parliament.uk/event/22390/...

committees.parliament.uk

12 December 2024 - Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage - Oral evidence - Committees - UK Parliament

09:30 - The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Our report in July assesses progress of government’s CCUS programme and its prospects of achieving the ambition to capture 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 www.nao.org.uk/reports/carb...

nao.org.uk

Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage programme - NAO report

Government says carbon capture technology is ‘essential’ to achieving net zero. The government doesn't have a credible alternative pathway.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

After many years and failed attempts, government reaching terms to support a CCUS project is a significant achievement. Important now it learns from experience doing this deal, and can draw learning from construction/operation, to feed into future projects www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

Contracts signed for UK’s first carbon capture projects in Teesside

New chapter for the UK's clean industry as financial close reached for East Coast Cluster site projects.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Carbon capture and storage in the UK is at a critical juncture as we await announcements from government on its deals to support the first wave of projects. I'll be talking about the NAO's recent work on CCS at Monday morning's Westminster Forum www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/C...

westminsterforumprojects.co.uk

CCUS 24

Next steps for CCUS development in the UK

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Matthew and I relive the big win at Enfield, look ahead to the Trophy tie against Horsham, and delve (maybe too far) into the National League rulebook #tufc podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

Talking Torquay Ep 176

Podcast Episode · Talking Torquay · 04/12/2024 · 55m

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Big step forward today: we exorcised the athletics track curse. Nothing can stop us now #tufc

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Reposted by Simon Bittlestone

Pippa Crerar @pippacrerar.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Whatever your view on assisted dying, this Commons debate has shown MPs at their best: thoughtful, measured, respectful, non-partisan. A good antidote to those who think they're all in it for themselves. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

theguardian.com

MPs moved to tears in assisted dying debate before landmark vote

MPs recount personal experiences in lead-up to decision on whether to give some terminally ill people right to die

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

This week we published our DESNZ Overview 2023-24, summarising key information about the Department based on our previous audit work. The last couple of pages also summarise 'What to look out for' over the coming months. www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

A 'bubble diagram' summarising where the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spent its money in 2023-24. It shows that nuclear decommissioning is by far the largest area of spend.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Congrats Rob, very well deserved. It’s clear you put a lot of hard work into your commentary so it’s great that’s been recognised!

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

I was cycling too. We were going down hill, there’s no way would’ve kept up on foot. Wonder if I may have an alternative career as a stunt cameraman 🤔

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

At least in the dark you can’t see your broken fences

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

@hsalvidgec.bsky.social great comms from you and Gritts today. It’s a real benefit for those of us that can’t be there in person to hear it being so well described!

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Take that all day long. Now onto a stern test against ‘table-topping Weston Super Mare’. Sigh. #tufc

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

It's good to see you here Stacy. I am a very proud owner of one of your 2022 Vuelta Buffalo cups (though I am too scared to use it for fear of breaking it!).

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

You can hear me say more about our decarbonising home heating report at the Westminster Forum on Monday morning www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/U...

westminsterforumprojects.co.uk

UK Heat 24

Next steps for decarbonising heat in UK homes

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

It's clear that in a tight fiscal situation to get anywhere near its ambitions government will need regulations like the CHMM to work effectively, complementing exchequer-funded policies, like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

We also highlighted that the current raft of policies, including the CHMM, are due to run until 2028 and DESNZ will need to evaluate how those policies are working to make informed decisions about what comes afterwards, when heat pump installations will need to keep increasing.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

We reported in March that DESNZ was being optimistic in assuming it would achieve its target of 600k heat pumps installed per year from 2028. A one-year delay to the CHMM shortly after seemed to make achieving this target even harder. www.nao.org.uk/reports/deca...

nao.org.uk

Decarbonising home heating - NAO report

Uncertainty regarding the role of hydrogen in home heating is hampering investment and effective planning.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

The CHMM is an obligation on boiler manufacturers to sell a certain level of low-carbon heat pumps and the payment-in-lieu is the amount that they pay for each heat pump missed against their target.

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Catching up on gov's Warm Homes Plan announcements, one that stands out is the change in payment-in-lieu on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism from £3k to £500. It will be important for DESNZ to monitor the impact this has on the CHMM's effectiveness and adjust its plan accordingly

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Simon Bittlestone @simonbittlestone.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Today's increase to the price cap comes on the back of mounting consumer debt. Our report last week highlighted that debt has risen from £1.8bn in 2021 to £3.7bn in June and recommended DESNZ and Ofgem consider actions to reduce debt over time www.nao.org.uk/reports/ener...

nao.org.uk

Energy bills support: an update - NAO report

Energy bills support successfully protected many people and businesses during 2022 and 2023 from rising energy prices.

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