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 value for money of the new Contract for Difference awarded to Drax Power Station compared with alternative (a) low-carbon generation and (b) storage technologies.

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

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has provided analysis that without large-scale biomass, we could face increased security of supply risks from 2027 to 2031.

Alternative low carbon generation such as wind or solar power, need to be supplemented with dispatchable generation to ensure security of supply.

Government has secured the best value for money deal to provide the dispatchable capacity required. Our analysis estimates that the alternative option of procuring the required capacity through the capacity market, which storage technologies bid into, would cost in the region of £170m more per year than the new arrangement with Drax.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's planned timetable is for implementing the reintroduction of pet passports for travel between the UK and the EU; and what guidance her Department plans to issue to pet owners to help them plan trips in 2026.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will become easier and cheaper.

Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time you travel, owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. The UK stands ready to start talks on the SPS agreement, now the EU mandate has been agreed.

We will provide further details in due course. In the meantime, owners will still need an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.

Found: Conservative; Beaconsfield) The following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Gill German

Found: Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales Members present • Ruth Jones MP (Chair) • Ann Davies MP • Gill German

Found: Conservative; Beaconsfield) The following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Gill German

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gill German; Simon

Found: Chadwick (Liberal Democrat; Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe) Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru; Caerfyrddin) Gill German

Found: Conservative; Beaconsfield)The following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Gill German

Found: Conservative; Beaconsfield) The following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Gill German

Found: Bonavia MP Law Officers Matt Rodda MP Northern Ireland Becky Gittins MP Wales Gill German