Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government supports changes to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme rules to ensure that bonus pensions awarded to members cannot subsequently be withdrawn.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on their proposed changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential fiscal implications of reforming the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme surplus sharing arrangements.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I have conversations with my colleagues on a range of issues. The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on their proposed changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is considering proposals from the Trustees of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to distribute the £1.1 billion of undistributed surplus currently held within the Scheme to members.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on their proposed changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has considered the introduction of full inflation linking for Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme pensions as part of the Scheme's next valuation.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on their proposed changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

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 estimate of the potential additional pension income that would be received by Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme members in Wales if the Trustees’ proposals on the distribution of undistributed surplus were implemented.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on their proposed changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

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 potential economic merits to former coalfield communities of distributing the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme's undistributed surplus to members through higher pension payments.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I recognise the benefits to coalfield communities of higher pension payments. The Government has already transferred £3.8bn to members of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme which has already made a significant impact.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with the Trustees of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme regarding the review of the Scheme’s surplus sharing arrangements; and what his planned timetable is for that review to conclude.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. I met the Trustees on 30 April for a constructive discussion of the proposals and how they might be taken forward. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of protections for landowners entering into option agreements with renewable energy developers.

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

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that landowners are appropriately protected when entering into commercial agreements with renewable energy developers.

Option agreements are private contractual arrangements between landowners and developers, and as such are governed by general contract and property law, including requirements around fairness and transparency.

Brexit and Wales 10 years on

Powys Hospital bed reductions

Direct bus service between mid-Wales and Cardiff

Royal Mail delivery standards

Support for post offices

Bank closures, digital exclusion and cyber risks

Palantir and the NHS (No. 2)

Improving access to elected office for disabled candidates

Protections for UK egg producers

A new growth and defence partnership with Europe

Wellbeing support for fire and rescue services

Infected Blood Inquiry compensation

Free court transcripts

Found: households where LHA doesn’t cover rent Ruth Jones MP Newport West & Islwyn 22.9% 77.1% David Chadwick

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gerald Jones; Ben

Found: Q64 David Chadwick: I want to follow up something that you mentioned, Pete.

Found: .227 Divisions were held on the following seven—all were moved by Liberal Democrat Spokesperson David Chadwick

Submit Evidence (by 31 Aug 2026)

Wales is home to a substantial and well matured defence manufacturing industry, spanning sectors including aerospace, defence-related electronics, drones, weapons, ammunition and land systems manufacturing (e.g. armoured fighting vehicles). The Welsh Government has estimated that Wales’ combined defence and aerospace sector directly employs 16,000 people, has a turnover of £3.7 billion and contributes approximately £1.5 billion in gross valued added (GVA) to the Welsh economy.