Written questions by MacDonald.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating a proportion of gross revenues from offshore renewable energy projects to local authority infrastructure funds.

Communities close to clean energy infrastructure should benefit from it. Offshore wind developers have established community benefit packages, and via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Government has published guidance on community funds and direct benefits in the form of bill discounts. The Government has recently asked for views on the proposed introduction of a mandatory community benefit scheme in Great Britain and will respond in due course.

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.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of applying a statutory 2% gross revenue contribution requirement to existing renewable energy projects over 1MW in capacity.

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.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory minimum revenue contribution from newly consented renewable energy developments to community benefit funds.

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.

What steps he is taking to encourage consistent revenue-based contributions to community benefit schemes by onshore renewable developments.

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.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of community benefit packages from new renewable energy infrastructure projects on Inverness, Skye, and West Ross-shire constituency.

At present, the provision of community benefits in Great Britain is voluntary . In Scotland, developers are strongly encouraged to provide community benefits in line with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles. The government is, currently exploring mandating community benefits as we believe that where communities host this low carbon infrastructure they should benefit and the proposals were set out in the working paper the government published on 21 May. Under voluntary or mandatory schemes, the process should be community led and the fund tailored to local priorities so that the impact can be maximized.

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 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.

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 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 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 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, 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 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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 his Department is providing funding for UK-wide research into (a) badger conservation and (b) non-lethal wildlife health management.

As part of the ongoing work on a comprehensive new bovine TB strategy, the Department is programme funding the establishment of a new badger vaccinator field force. This initiative aims to increase delivery of badger vaccination as a non-lethal method to reduce TB transmission rates and protect badgers. No UK-wide Government funding is currently provided specifically for badger conservation.