Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many miners were recipients of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme in (a) Barnsley Central constituency and (b) nationally in May 2023.
Answered by Graham Stuart
There were 120,099 members of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme as of May 2023 of whom 2,576 live in the Barnsley Central constituency. The breakdown between those in receipt and those yet to receive their pension is not available at the constituency level.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2022 to Question 88950 on Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, what estimate he has made of when the 2023 valuation of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme and the calculation of that scheme’s surplus will be completed.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Based on previous valuations of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, the Government anticipates the 2023 valuation process, including the calculation of any surplus, to be concluded during the summer of 2024.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will review the surplus sharing arrangements for the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government considers the current arrangements to be working well for all parties. No review of arrangements is planned, but the Government has made clear to the MPS Trustees that it would consider any proposals for change that do not add risk to taxpayers.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Department officials meet the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) Trustees regularly to monitor the performance of the MPS. The Scheme works well for all parties. A triennial valuation will begin towards the end of the year.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of land stability in the Barnsley Coalfield.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Coal Authority, a Partner Organisation of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, plays an important role in managing public safety and ground stability across the former British Coalfield areas. The Authority does not carry inspections of coalfield areas as a whole but has a programme of proactive inspections of locations where they are aware of former mine workings which includes those in the Barnsley Coalfield area.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to work with Mayoral Combined Authorities on household insulation and retro-fitting schemes
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government works with Combined Authorities as part of the Sustainable Warmth competition. Up to £1.5 billion will be available to local authorities, including Combined Authorities, through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Home Upgrade Grant schemes, which will be delivered from April 2023 to March 2025. The schemes provide grants for energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating to low-income households, living in the worst performing, private and social homes in England with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band C-G. Successful local authorities will be announced before April 2023.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will publish its time frame on the longevity of the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Nabarro Claims Solutions (NCS) administer the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme (CIPCS) on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Scheme remains open to those who meet the criteria, and the Department has no plans to make any changes to the CIPCS