Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 implications for South Derbyshire of the expiry of Renewables Obligation support for landfill gas generation, including in respect of the future operation of the Bretby landfill gas site.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
More than 300 landfill gas sites across Great Britain currently receive support through the Renewables Obligation (RO). Government is aware that the commercial viability of some of these sites may be affected when the RO support begins to expire from 2027.
DESNZ is developing proposals for possible transitional support for these assets. In considering the case for any future support, DESNZ will develop an initial impact assessment with consideration for energy security, economic and environmental impacts, as well as value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer.
These proposals will be consulted on shortly. This process welcomes evidence from sites such as Bretby.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 impact of the expiry of Renewables Obligation support for landfill gas generation on (a) electricity generation, (b) methane emissions, environmental compliance and public safety, (c) costs to local authorities and landowners and (d) employment and specialist skills in the landfill gas sector.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that Renewables Obligation (RO) support will begin to end in April 2027. In line with commitments made in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, we are exploring the possibility of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
Any future support will be subject to robust cost assessments, including consideration of economic and environmental impacts, and value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer.
We will shortly consult on a possible transitional support scheme for the sector.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure there is no gap in financial support for landfill gas electricity generation following the expiry of Renewables Obligation support in April 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that Renewables Obligation (RO) support for existing landfill gas generators will begin to expire from 2027, and that this could affect their commercial viability. That’s why the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan committed to explore the possibility of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
While no final decision has been made, DESNZ will shortly consult on proposals for a possible transitional scheme, including an anticipated delivery timetable.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will consider making community benefits mandatory for all solar and BESS projects currently under consideration.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Last year, the government published a working paper setting out proposals for mandatory community benefits for low carbon energy infrastructure projects.
We are in the process of reviewing responses and intend to publish a response setting out our next steps in due course.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 off grid users of energy (a) are protected by Ofgem and (b) benefit from energy price caps in the same way as grid customers.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has been clear that, depending on the final evidence from the CMA’s market study, regulatory frameworks to protect UK homes reliant on domestic heating oil could be introduced.
In response to rising oil prices, the Government has already implemented a £50m emergency funding package for vulnerable off-grid homes.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to use unallocated surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to pay members a further bonus pension.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to ensure the Miners Pension Scheme members’ pensions will be fully index linked.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 plans to abolish standstill provisions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that protections for bonus pensions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme match the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy that 100% of future surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme be used to increase members’ pensions.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 17 September 2025 to question 80057, what recent progress has been made in the OFGEM investigation into A Shade Greener; and when affected constituents can expect redress.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem, as the independent regulator, is responsible for investigating whether companies have complied with the rules of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and related consumer regulations.
Ofgem’s investigation into the company A Shade Greener remains open. While the Department cannot intervene in the details of that investigation, we continue to support Ofgem in exercising its consumer powers appropriately. Any decisions regarding enforcement action or consumer redress will be taken by Ofgem once its investigation has concluded in due course.