Written questions by Morris.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the pricing mechanism for electricity reflects the lower generation costs of renewables.

Unabated gas generation is increasingly being displaced on the system by the rollout of renewables, setting the marginal price less frequently. The most effective mechanism for driving renewable generation is a Contract for Difference-type scheme that includes key features such as competitive auctions to minimise costs to consumers, alongside a mechanism wherein generators pay back when wholesale prices are high. The Government is committed to retaining this type of scheme and as part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements programme, is also considering what further steps can be taken to protect consumers from the impacts of potential price spikes.

With reference to the document entitled UKCS Decommissioning Cost and Performance Update 2024, published on 16 June 2024, whether the estimates of the annual cost of decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure are net of annual relief on corporation tax granted for decommissioning expenditure in the oil and gas sector.

The decommissioning cost estimates referred to, which are published by the North Sea Transition Authority, are pre-tax. Any annual relief on corporation tax granted for decommissioning expenditure in the oil and gas sector has not been applied.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs in the decommissioning sector of the offshore oil and gas industry in each financial year from 2013-14 and 2024-25.

No such estimates have been made. The planning and delivery of decommissioning is often integrated into the organisational capabilities of upstream oil and gas operators and supply chain companies. It is therefore difficult to determine how many of this workforce are, or have been, focused on decommissioning activities over the last 10 years.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on safety procedures for workers on the Seagreen offshore wind farm.

The Secretary of State continues to have ongoing discussions with Cabinet colleagues concerning Departmental business.Safety procedures for offshore wind farms is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE recently served a prohibition notice to the Seagreen offshore wind farm developer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) the offshore wind industry and (c) trade unions on the collision between the Wind of Hope vessel and a turbine in the Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm on 20 September 2024.

The Secretary of State continues to have ongoing discussions with Cabinet colleagues, the offshore wind industry and trade unions concerning Departmental business.The collision involving the Wind of Hope vessel was reported to the appropriate authorities. It will be a matter for the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch.

How many members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme have not reached pension age.

Information from the Trustees indicates that there were 1,861 members who have not yet reached pension age as at 9 September 2024.

How many members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme are yet to receive their pension because they have deferred their pension.

Information from the Trustees indicates that, as of 9 September 2024, there were 1,143 members who had yet to receive their pension because they have deferred.

How many dependents were recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in (a) Easington constituency and (b) the UK in October 2024.

We are unable to provide the breakdown requested. However, information from the trustees shows that, as at 22 July 2024, the number of pensioner and dependant members in the UK was 39,251 and in Easington was 748.

Whether his Department has made direct payments to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme under the existing guarantee arrangements.

No such payments have been made.

How many former employees were recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in (a) Easington constituency and (b) the UK in October 2024.

We are unable to provide the breakdown requested. However, information from the trustees shows that, as at 22 July 2024, the number of pensioner and dependant members in the UK was 39,251 and in Easington was 748.

Whether his Department has made direct payments to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme under the guarantee arrangements before the surplus sharing arrangements ended.

No such payments have been made.