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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the deployment of offshore energy does not adversely impact (a) the fishing industry and (b) marine (i) habitats and (ii) ecosystems.

Further to the written statement I made on 29^th January 2025, this Government has committed to deliver an Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package, which supports the Clean Power 2030 Mission. This will support the accelerated deployment of offshore wind developments while protecting our marine habitats and ecosystems. This includes establishing a Marine Recovery Fund to deliver strategic environmental compensation for unavoidable impacts to Marine Protected Areas.

More broadly the Department is leading the cross Government marine spatial prioritisation programme. This is looking at how to take a more strategic approach to managing the increased demands on the marine space, including from future offshore wind, alongside nature’s recovery in English waters. This Government will ensure that the fishing industry is supported to adapt to the increased spatial pressures.