Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5), on what evidential basis his Department has determined that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity network developments in general.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The starting presumption for electricity network developments set out in EN-5 is based on several factors including cost, environmental and technical points.

Overhead lines are quicker and easier to construct, cause less environmental disturbance during construction, are easier to maintain and repair, and are simpler to connect to existing circuits.

Evidence indicates that overhead lines are significantly cheaper than undergrounding, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) estimating undergrounding costs around four and a half times more.

As these costs are ultimately borne by electricity bill payers, overhead lines remain the Government’s starting presumption.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the costs of (a) undergrounding electricity transmission infrastructure and (b) developing overhead transmission lines.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Evidence published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) shows that the lifetime cost of underground transmission cables is around four and a half times higher than overhead lines.

As costs are borne by the electricity bill payer, the Government’s starting presumption for new transmission infrastructure is overhead lines. In nationally designated landscapes, undergrounding is the starting presumption.

A government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km will be published in the near future.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions sha has had with the with the Welsh Government in developing the BBC Charter Review Green Paper.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government launched the BBC Charter Review on 16 December, including the publication of a Green paper.

DCMS consulted the Welsh Government on the Terms of Reference for Charter Review, and had multiple discussions as the Green Paper was being developed. We are continuing to engage with the Welsh Government, and the other Devolved Governments, as we progress the Charter Review.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the current requirement for Distribution Network Operators to treat all connection applicants identically limits their ability to support Welsh community energy projects; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of a defined community energy status on creating a lawful basis for different treatment.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions.

While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether any definition or register of community energy organisations established under the Local Power Plan will allow Distribution Network Operators to identify eligible Welsh community energy projects and apply proportionate flexibility in the connections pipeline without breaching existing licence obligations.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation.

The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process.

DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he will take steps with the Welsh Government to define the term community energy for the specific purpose of enabling Distribution Network Operators to apply differentiated treatment in the grid connections process for genuinely community-owned projects in Wales.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions.

While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how reforms to the electricity connections process will take account of the wider social, economic and community value of Welsh community energy projects, particularly in rural areas, when assessing readiness and need.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Reforms to the electricity connections process are designed to connect viable projects that align with our Clean Power mission, including Welsh community energy schemes in rural areas. The reformed process has objective and transparent criteria for assessing projects, approved by Ofgem, with the focus on meeting our decarbonisation goals.

The Department does also recognise that community energy projects in Wales may need greater support in the connections process.

DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, GBE, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that any community energy (a) definition and (b) register developed for England does not prevent Distribution Network Operators from prioritising grid connections for Welsh community energy projects that contribute to Welsh Government targets for locally owned energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation.

The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process.

DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to answer to the question 118015, what are the timescales for the publication of the government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The study on costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines is being prepared for publication shortly and in line with Cabinet Office May 2026 pre-election guidance.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether address‑level coverage data will be published for the rollout of Project Gigabit Type C contracts in Caerfyrddin.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Building Digital UK publishes data providing premises-level information on the premises included in Project Gigabit contracts every four months. Approximately 5,600 premises in the Caerfyrddin constituency are currently included in the scope of Project Gigabit contracts being delivered by Openreach. These contracts are expected to complete by 2030.

On 13 March, we also launched the gigabit broadband availability checker on GOV.UK, which allows residents and businesses in England and Wales to see whether gigabit-capable broadband is available at, or planned for, their address, including through Project Gigabit.

While this data provides transparency on which premises are included in subsidised plans, Project Gigabit suppliers are responsible for determining local delivery schedules. Communities are therefore encouraged to register their details with suppliers to receive the latest updates as build progresses.

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Found: • Ann Davies asked about formal requests for devolution of powers made by the Welsh Government (Q54)

Submit Evidence (by 4 May 2026)

The rate of child poverty in Wales has changed very little over the past two decades, with around a third of Welsh children living in poverty during that time. Currently, 31% of children in Wales live in relative income poverty after housing costs. However, that figure also varies significantly depending on a family's circumstances, with larger families, lone parent families and families with at least one disabled adult or child experiencing higher rates of child poverty.