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 made an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of plants currently supported under the Renewables Obligation from April 2027 on business continuity, jobs and energy resilience.

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

Accreditation under the Renewables Obligation (RO) was always intended to be time limited and generators have known, from the date they were accredited, how long their support would last.

The Government will continue to monitor the potential impacts of the closure of the scheme on different technologies.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has considered the potential merits of time-limited transitional support mechanism for generators currently supported through the Renewables Obligation, including to help safeguard critical infrastructure and help support investment in carbon capture technology.

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

Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme support ends for some generators from 2027 onwards, and the Government is aware that this will affect the commercial viability of some operators. The Government recognises the value that these generators provide. However, these benefits must be weighed against the cost of potential further support.

The Government does not intend to pursue a comprehensive ongoing support mechanism as this would not deliver value for money to consumers, but it is exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme for existing landfill gas generators, with suitable transitional arrangements. We will provide stakeholders with an update in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on developing a cross-government strategy to help tackle rural poverty.

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

Defra Ministers regularly engage with other Government departments on a range of issues impacting rural communities.

In April 2025, Defra established a Rural Taskforce to better understand how government can support rural businesses and communities, tackle rural disadvantage, and unlock the potential of the rural economy. The Taskforce brought together Government departments and external partners to consider the potential opportunities and challenges in rural areas for delivering growth and supporting sustainable rural communities.

The Rural Taskforce delivered recommendations on how Government can deliver on its ambition for thriving, inclusive and sustainable rural communities by 2030. This will feed into a report which Defra intends to publish in the coming months.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to put in place a mechanism that would allow common land to be entered into Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements for 2026.

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

Defra recognises the important role that common land and its commoners play in delivering environmental outcomes across these important and iconic landscapes. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is currently assessing how applications on common land can access Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and is actively exploring both on and off system options, testing feasibility. Once this assessment is complete, the RPA will engage external stakeholders to discuss their planned approach, including any implications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Found: Norfolk) Jayne Kirkham (Labour; Truro and Falmouth) Josh Newbury (Labour; Cannock Chase) Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

Found: Jayne Kirkham MP  Josh Newbury MP  Terry Jermy MP  Sarah Dyke MP  Henry Tufnell MP  Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

Found: Jayne Kirkham MP • Josh Newbury MP • Terry Jermy MP • Sarah Dyke MP • Henry Tufnell MP • Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

Found: Q146 Jenny Riddell-Carpenter: Did you say in 2023-24? Mark White: At that time, 2023-24.

Found: Q146 Jenny Riddell-Carpenter: Did you say in 2023-24? Mark White: At that time, 2023-24.