Written questions by Gardiner.

Whether the Government plans to take steps to balance its updated emissions estimates of data centres with the decarbonisation required in the fifth carbon budget.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025 to question 90099, what his evidential basis is for Drax's policy of not sourcing material directly from old growth areas; and whether his Department has the same definition of old growth forest as Drax.

The Government’s definition of old-growth forest is set out in the terms of the new Low-Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference published by the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) on 1 December. From 2027 there is no reliance on any other definition for determining eligibility subsidy. Any breaches of the contractual restriction on sourcing biomass directly from old-growth forest will result in significant financial penalties and could lead to termination of the contract for serious or repeated breaches. The contract also contains strengthened Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) measures, and gives LCCC powers to conduct audits throughout the biomass supply chain.

What steps he is taking to help tackle deforestation, air pollution and community health impacts linked to imported biomass supply chains.

The new Low-Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference strengthens environmental protections, and enhances monitoring, reporting and verification of compliance. The government has recently published the common biomass sustainability framework consultation. The proposals we are consulting on will ensure that the highest industry standards continue to apply to biomass power generation in the UK. International biomass supply chain operations are licensed and regulated in the jurisdiction in which they are situated. We have ongoing engagement with relevant authorities regarding the full range of sustainability, environmental and other relevant matters.

Whether biomass subsidies are compatible with the recommendations of the Independent Review of the UK's Greenhouse Gas Removal Strategy.

The Independent Review considered the long-term potential for greenhouse gas removals and recommended that the UK adopt a strategic aim to minimise the use of imported biomass. The sourcing of biomass is a commercial decision for generators. However, under the terms of the new short-term Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference with Drax, large-scale biomass will play a much more limited role in the power system, operating less than half as often as it currently does. This will result in a reduction in the UK’s reliance on imported biomass feedstock going forward.

What steps he is taking to ensure transparency over contract terms agreed with Lynemouth under new low-carbon dispatchable power arrangements.

We are in discussions with Lynemouth Power Station to assess whether a Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference agreement could appropriately support security of supply and deliver value for consumers. Should we proceed following a full internal decision-making process with an agreement the core elements of the Heads of Terms will be announced prior to the publication of the full contract in due course.

What steps he is taking to ensure that new contracts for biomass do not lead to long-term reliance on imported feedstocks.

It is for generators to ensure they can source sufficient biomass to meet generation requirements and sustainability standards set out in Government support schemes. The new low-carbon dispatchable CfD with Drax incorporates strengthened sustainability standards, including a reduction in the allowable supply chain emissions threshold from 50gCO2e/MJ to 36.6gCO2e/MJ, regardless of where material is sourced. The UK does not have sufficient forest capacity to meet current and projected short-term demand for bioenergy feedstocks. The majority of biomass imported currently is a byproduct of the wider timber industry.

If he will steps he will take to prevent Drax power station from burning old growth forest wood in its power station between now and 2027.

We work closely with Ofgem on monitoring environmental regulations and forestry practices in areas where biomass is sourced to ensure the sustainability of the feedstock coming to the UK. In October 2023 Drax adopted a policy of not sourcing material directly from old growth areas in British Columbia for Drax Power Station in Selby. As a result of Ofgem’s investigation, Drax are currently conducting a global review of their supply chain through an independent auditor. We will carefully consider the results of this audit. From 2027 onwards, the new Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference strengthens sustainability requirements by ensuring no subsidy is paid for electricity generated from primary material harvested from primary forest or old growth areas.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provisions of the Marine Policy Statement 2011 in the context of achieving his Department’s policy on new oil and gas licencing.

In March, the Government consulted on its commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields. The Marine Policy Statement was published in 2011 under a previous government. It includes support for oil and gas exploration. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, this aspect of the Statement is unlikely to carry any practical effect in future. Updating the Statement would be resource intensive for all governments involved. Instead, the Government is taking a more strategic approach to marine spatial planning, developing colocation solutions and working with the Marine Management Organisation on the replacement of the East Marine Plan.

Whether he plans to bring forward primary legislation to ban new oil and gas licences.

The Government has committed to not issue new licences to explore new fields while managing existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan. On 1 October, the Secretary of State announced legislation to end new onshore oil and gas licensing in England. Our ‘Building the North Sea’s energy future’ consultation, which closed earlier this year, sought views on how we should implement these commitments. We will respond in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change draft rules on the attribution of emissions reductions from bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) to the country of origin on UK subsidies for BECCS.

All UK greenhouse gas emissions are compiled and reported consistent with international guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories provide a methodology for the reporting of emissions from bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) that the UK will follow when the technology is operating at sufficient scale. In line with all IPCC reports, the 2006 Guidelines were written by world-leading experts, underwent multiple rounds of review from other experts and Governments and were formally accepted by Governments including the UK.