Barry Gardiner

Growth in data centre electricity demand is inherently uncertain and, where additional electricity demand does materialise, the UK’s rapidly decarbonising power sector will help to mitigate the emissions impact.

We will continue to test a range of data centre growth trajectories to ensure we meet our carbon budgets, as we form our next carbon budget delivery plan. We will also monitor emerging demand, to inform where further mitigation or system adjustments may be required.

It is for generators to ensure they can source sufficient biomass to meet generation requirements and sustainability standards set out in Government support schemes.

The new low-carbon dispatchable CfD with Drax incorporates strengthened sustainability standards, including a reduction in the allowable supply chain emissions threshold from 50gCO2e/MJ to 36.6gCO2e/MJ, regardless of where material is sourced.

The UK does not have sufficient forest capacity to meet current and projected short-term demand for bioenergy feedstocks. The majority of biomass imported currently is a byproduct of the wider timber industry.

The Independent Review considered the long-term potential for greenhouse gas removals and recommended that the UK adopt a strategic aim to minimise the use of imported biomass. The sourcing of biomass is a commercial decision for generators. However, under the terms of the new short-term Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference with Drax, large-scale biomass will play a much more limited role in the power system, operating less than half as often as it currently does. This will result in a reduction in the UK’s reliance on imported biomass feedstock going forward.

The Government’s definition of old-growth forest is set out in the terms of the new Low-Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference published by the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) on 1 December. From 2027 there is no reliance on any other definition for determining eligibility subsidy.

Any breaches of the contractual restriction on sourcing biomass directly from old-growth forest will result in significant financial penalties and could lead to termination of the contract for serious or repeated breaches. The contract also contains strengthened Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) measures, and gives LCCC powers to conduct audits throughout the biomass supply chain.

The new Low-Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference strengthens environmental protections, and enhances monitoring, reporting and verification of compliance. The government has recently published the common biomass sustainability framework consultation. The proposals we are consulting on will ensure that the highest industry standards continue to apply to biomass power generation in the UK.

International biomass supply chain operations are licensed and regulated in the jurisdiction in which they are situated. We have ongoing engagement with relevant authorities regarding the full range of sustainability, environmental and other relevant matters.

We are in discussions with Lynemouth Power Station to assess whether a Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference agreement could appropriately support security of supply and deliver value for consumers. Should we proceed following a full internal decision-making process with an agreement the core elements of the Heads of Terms will be announced prior to the publication of the full contract in due course.

We work closely with Ofgem on monitoring environmental regulations and forestry practices in areas where biomass is sourced to ensure the sustainability of the feedstock coming to the UK.

In October 2023 Drax adopted a policy of not sourcing material directly from old growth areas in British Columbia for Drax Power Station in Selby. As a result of Ofgem’s investigation, Drax are currently conducting a global review of their supply chain through an independent auditor. We will carefully consider the results of this audit.

From 2027 onwards, the new Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference strengthens sustainability requirements by ensuring no subsidy is paid for electricity generated from primary material harvested from primary forest or old growth areas.

In March, the Government consulted on its commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields.

The Marine Policy Statement was published in 2011 under a previous government. It includes support for oil and gas exploration.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation, this aspect of the Statement is unlikely to carry any practical effect in future.

Updating the Statement would be resource intensive for all governments involved. Instead, the Government is taking a more strategic approach to marine spatial planning, developing colocation solutions and working with the Marine Management Organisation on the replacement of the East Marine Plan.

The Government has committed to not issue new licences to explore new fields while managing existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.

On 1 October, the Secretary of State announced legislation to end new onshore oil and gas licensing in England.

Our ‘Building the North Sea’s energy future’ consultation, which closed earlier this year, sought views on how we should implement these commitments. We will respond in due course.

All UK greenhouse gas emissions are compiled and reported consistent with international guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories provide a methodology for the reporting of emissions from bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) that the UK will follow when the technology is operating at sufficient scale. In line with all IPCC reports, the 2006 Guidelines were written by world-leading experts, underwent multiple rounds of review from other experts and Governments and were formally accepted by Governments including the UK.

The Government has invested £20 million in the Legacy Landscapes Fund as planned. The £9m Tranche 2 was intended for a new, separate programme. Following ODA budget reductions, Defra has prioritised existing programmes to support partner countries to achieve 30x30.

The Government is on track to invest up to £29 million to support partner countries' efforts to deliver the global 30x30 target. Since COP15, Defra has invested £20 million in the Legacy Landscapes Fund and supported countries to achieve 30x30 through new Darwin Initiative and other international nature projects.

Ministers meet regularly with Ofwat to discuss a range of issues.

The Environment Agency (EA) published guidance on Pollution Incident Reduction Plans in January 2026 and is responsible for the enforcement of non-compliance Defra officials and the EA continue to work together and guidance updates to improve the next round of plans will take place as needed.

Ofwat's process of appointing an Independent Monitor for Thames Water is ongoing as of the time of this response. The procurement process is viewable on the find-a-tender portal (Independent Monitor - Thames Water). The estimated award decision date of 21 October will be updated when the time arises.

I refer the hon. Member to the response given on 29 October 2026 to PQ UIN 34451.

6,130 inspections were carried out at water-company-operated sewage pumping stations and combined sewer overflows. These are permitted wastewater assets within sewerage networks. Inspections assess whether sites comply with environmental permit conditions and may also follow reported pollution incidents or evidence of environmental impact at an asset or its outfall.

The Government provides air quality information through established channels to support public awareness. We will keep our approach to communicating air quality information under review and will continue to consider the most effective ways of ensuring relevant information is available to the public and stakeholders.

The Government provides air quality information through established channels to support public awareness. We will keep our approach to communicating air quality information under review and will continue to consider the most effective ways of ensuring relevant information is available to the public and stakeholders.

The Government provides air quality information through established channels to support public awareness. We will keep our approach to communicating air quality information under review and will continue to consider the most effective ways of ensuring relevant information is available to the public and stakeholders.

The answer to PQ UIN 29335 was published on 19 October 2026.

After the 2025–2026 inspections, the Environment Agency served 3 Enforcement Notices and issued 728 compulsory actions for serious permit breaches.

The Environment Agency (EA) publishes rainfall data from its hydrometric monitoring network. Sewage flow data is available on request from the EA, and network condition is monitored by Ofwat. The EA assesses compliance with permits using a range of information, with enforcement action taken where breaches are identified.

The list of Species of Special Concern is statutorily reviewed every six years, with the next review due in 2028. Although we cannot comment on decisions taken by previous administrations, this Government fully intends to list new species and is current in the process of considering additional species as part the GB Invasive Non-Native Species Committee.

The list of Species of Special Concern is statutorily reviewed every six years, with the next review due in 2028. Although we cannot comment on decisions taken by previous administrations, this Government fully intends to list new species and is current in the process of considering additional species as part the GB Invasive Non-Native Species Committee.

The list of Species of Special Concern is statutorily reviewed every six years, with the next review due in 2028. Although we cannot comment on decisions taken by previous administrations, this Government fully intends to list new species and is current in the process of considering additional species as part the GB Invasive Non-Native Species Committee.

Species listing is an important risk-prevention tool, but listing pace has not affected Target 6 delivery. The UK’s February 2026 Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity assesses progress against national biodiversity targets and records three establishments prevented during its reporting period, meeting the target.

Government is currently considering the appropriate timing and content for a plan to ensure it meets our ambition to secure greater public control in the water sector.

There is no fixed rainfall threshold for a storm overflow to discharge. Storm overflows may only operate as permitted, with compliance assessed case-by-case against site-specific rainfall, flow and network conditions.