Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of fully covering the cost of making disused coal tips safe in Wales.

Government recognises the importance of ensuring coal tip safety across the country and just how much this issue resonates with local communities, particularly in the South Wales valleys.

The UK Government and Welsh Government have worked closely together to secure coal tip sites, with the support of the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA).

Local authorities remain the primary authority for coal recovery schemes from tips through the planning and enforcement system, including responsibility for securing appropriate funding.