Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support he plans to provide to communities where coal-powered power stations are to be phased out.

Most of our existing coal stations are old and likely to close on economic grounds well before 2025. Setting an end date for coal is expected to help stimulate new investment into alternative energy sources, create new jobs in construction and operation for the next two decades, and contribute towards delivering a secure, affordable low carbon future. The Government aims to support those directly affected into new employment, including through the Job Centre Plus Rapid Response Force.