Written questions by MacDonald.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) Denmark’s Promotion of Renewable Energy Act 2008 and (b) other international models for statutory community benefit contributions from renewable energy developments.

In developing the government’s policy on community benefits, we have undertaken a review of international best practices to ensure our approach is effective and well-informed. This has included consideration of the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme/Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Ireland and other international examples.

What recent discussions his Department has had with SSEN Transmission on community benefits.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK

What estimate he has made of the total value of community benefit payments made by (a) onshore and (b) offshore renewable energy projects in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold data on the value of community benefits payments made by onshore and offshore renewables across Great Britain. Community benefit schemes are administered by the projects themselves and provided voluntarily. We have however, recently publishing a Working Paper on mandatory community benefits and responses to this will help inform our evidence base.

What recent discussions he has had with renewable energy developers on establishing a statutory framework for community benefit payments based on a proportion of gross revenue.

On 21 May, the government published a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure. The paper seeks views on the proposed introduction of a mandatory community benefit scheme in Great Britain, which would require developers to contribute a set amount to a community fund. The working paper intends to gather insight into what level of benefit is appropriate and how best this is calculated. The government will need to consider the impact on operational costs for developers of infrastructure, impacts on bills, and meaningful level of benefit for communities. The government maintains regular engagement with key industry and community stakeholders across the country, which continues to inform policy development.

If he will take steps to ensure that community benefit payments from renewable energy developments are spent on (a) housing, (b) reducing levels of fuel poverty and (c) social care.

The government believes community fund packages will have the most impact if they can be tailored to the community’s preferences and priorities. The process should be community led and decisions on how community benefit funds are spent should rest with the community. This may include, for example, new school clubs, new bus routes, investment in biodiversity or local insulation.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government’s proposed Bill discount scheme of up to £2,500 over 10 years for those living up to 500m from new and significantly upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure.

The Government’s 'minded to' position of bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years for those living up to 500m from new and significantly upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure aims to ensure communities are recognised for living within proximity of new infrastructure.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the potential impact of the visit by the trade envoy to Israel to Haifa in May 2025 on the UK's foreign policy in relation to Israel.

The UK’s Trade Envoys play a crucial role in supporting HMG’s growth priorities, through helping deliver the industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to the UK. Lord Austin, in his capacity as Trade Envoy, visited Israel to continue to support these key UK businesses.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an estimate of the population status of weasels in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support hedgehog conservation initiatives in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) local environmental groups and (b) land managers in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency on pine marten habitats and distribution.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of badger population in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of stoat population in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with relevant wildlife conservation organisations on the impact of stoats on ground-nesting birds in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on sustainable red deer management.

The Secretary of State regularly meets colleagues in the Devolved Governments through the Interministerial Group. No specific discussions on sustainable red deer management have taken place.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the devolved Administrations on monitoring European pine marten populations.

Yes, Natural England engages with devolved administrations through the national pine marten networking group. This group meets quarterly, and discussions include topics such as monitoring European pine marten populations.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on coordinated approaches to monitoring badger populations.

Chief Veterinary Officers from all four devolved administrations of the United Kingdom, along with policy officials, meet routinely to discuss shared priorities. This includes the TB Liaison Group, which provides a platform for coordination and updates on policy developments, such as monitoring badger populations. The latest badger population survey began in England in February 2025, and findings from such initiatives will be shared across administrations.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of uncoupling Carer’s Allowance and Blue Badges from PIP.

It is a long-established principle that in order for an unpaid carer to receive Carer’s Allowance the person they are caring for should be receiving a “trigger” disability benefit. This link acts as a proxy for establishing that care needs exist. We have no plans to break this link. Support for unpaid carers is, of course, a devolved matter to the Scottish Parliament. Access to Blue Badges is a matter for the Department for Transport and the Devolved Administrations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the population status and ecological role of European pine martens across the UK.

There are approximately 100-200 pine marten in England. This estimate is based on a recent pine marten reintroduction in the Forest of Dean and monitoring of records in Northumberland and Cumbria. There are also a few other scattered and sporadic records across the country, some of which are a result of unofficial releases. In 2024 two further pine marten reintroductions took place in Devon and Cumbria. However, as this was very recent and populations are not yet established, they have not been included in this population estimate.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support UK-wide research into European pine marten ecology and conservation.

A Long-term strategic recovery plan for pine martens in Britain was produced in 2021, which presents a summary of what has been achieved so far and sets out a continuing strategic recovery plan for pine martens across Britain, while emphasising the importance of conserving recovering populations in Scotland.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the devolved Administrations on collaborative efforts to halt hedgehog decline.

Yes, Defra works collaboratively with devolved administrations on efforts to halt hedgehog decline. In 2024, Britain’s first National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy was published. The strategy highlights the factors causing a decline in our native hedgehog populations, and is supported by Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot. In addition, Natural England is co-funding the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme. The information gathered will also produce insights into the factors causing hedgehog population decline, leading to the implementation of practical conservation measures to address this challenge.