Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the impact of outdoor digital billboards on communities in the context of the revised National Planning Policy Framework.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, proposed removing the existing policy on advertisements.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
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 potential impact the expiry of the Renewables Obligation for LFGTE on 31 March 2027 on local authority finances.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that Renewables Obligation support for most landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) generators ends in April 2027, and that this could affect their commercial viability
DESNZ’s assessment to date has focused on generator viability, and the potential impacts of retirement on energy security and methane emissions, rather than a separate quantified assessment of impacts on local authority finances.
Government plans to publish the consultation on transitional support for landfill gas generation in due course, and would welcome responses from local authorities. Any future support would be subject to rigorous value-for-money and impact assessments.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his department is taking to ensure transitional support for the landfill gas to energy sector will be in place when the Renewables Obligation for LFGTE expires on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that support under the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme will end for existing landfill gas generators from April 2027, which could affect the commercial viability of these generators.
That is why, as set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, Government is exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
DESNZ will shortly consult on these proposals. No final decision has been made, and in assessing the case for any future support, we will consider the outcomes of the consultation process, the economic and environmental impacts, as well as value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
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 potential impact of the expiry of the Renewables Obligation for LFGTE on the Methane Action Plan.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Analysis published within the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan indicate that the ending of the Renewable Obligation from 2027 could reduce methane capture at landfills in England from ~54% to ~49% without other measures being put in place. However, under the Methane Action Plan, government is exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme and will shortly consult on the potential for providing suitable transitional arrangements.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what powers Ofgem has to intervene where heat network prices are considered excessive.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As the regulator of heat networks, Ofgem have broad powers relating to price regulation. These include powers to investigate and intervene where heat network prices charged to consumers are disproportionate or unfair.
Under Ofgem’s authorisation regime, heat network operators and suppliers are required to charge consumers fairly and guidance has been published on the application of their fair pricing rules.
Heat networks have until January 2027 to register with Ofgem and supply data, including information about pricing. Ofgem will use this to further inform their approach to pricing rules and guidance.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what protections are in place for consumers on heat networks wishing to challenge charges before the completion of the Ofgem authorisation process in January 2027.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Since the introduction of the heat network regulator, Ofgem rules require operators and suppliers to charge consumers fairly and guidance has been published on the application of their fair pricing rules.
Heat networks have until January 2027 to register with Ofgem and supply data, including information about pricing. Ofgem will use this to further inform their approach to pricing rules and guidance.
We have also introduced statutory consumer advice and advocacy services for heat network consumers since April 2025, including on price. For unresolved disputes, heat network consumers can refer their case to the Energy Ombudsman who can provide statutory redress as part of their Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his Department's planned timetable is for the full implementation of the heat network regulatory framework.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government has introduced statutory redress through the energy ombudsman and statutory advice and advocacy through Citizens Advice and Consumer Scotland for heat network consumers from April 2025. The Department has subsequently introduced Ofgem as the heat network regulator from January 2026. Heat network suppliers and operators have until January 2027 to register with Ofgem and supply data. Ofgem will use this to further develop the regulatory regime including informing their approach to pricing rules and guidance.
The Department have also consulted on mandating minimum technical standards for heat networks, to deliver better outcomes for consumers. A government response will be published in due course.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his department has had with faith groups and local authorities promoting faith covenants since the Prime Minister’s commitment in June 2024.
Answered by Nesil Caliskan
This Government recognises the value of partnership working at the local level to support communities, including between faith and belief groups and local authorities. Faith Covenants are an important example of such partnerships.
The Civil Society Covenant is a principles-based foundation for resetting the relationship between the public sector and civil society. Faith and belief groups are explicitly recognised as valued partners within the Civil Society Covenant.
The new Civil Society Council, which includes representatives from the Voluntary, Community, and Faith sectors, provides a central forum to identify opportunities for civil society to play a greater role in the design and delivery of policies and services.
Our recently launched £11.59 million Local Covenant Partnerships (LCP) Fund puts many of the Covenant’s principles into practice. The LCP Fund will invest in 15 places across England to develop innovative partnership models between civil society organisations and local public sector bodies.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many outstanding cases of people facing the retrospective Loan Charge she expects will be settled as a result of the McCann Review.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UINs 109841, 109843 and 109842.
Asked by: Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the value-for-money to the taxpayer of the retrospective Loan Charge.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UINs 109841, 109843 and 109842.