Written questions by Leadbeater.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of fuel costs on the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector; and what steps he is taking to support VCSE organisations delivering frontline services.

Fuel markets are governed by competition and consumer law, overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring fuel and heating oil prices in light of instability in the Middle East, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State recently met with fuel retailers to set out a clear message: unfair practices will not be tolerated. We are providing over £50 million of immediate support for vulnerable heating oil customers, helping those that are most exposed. The government has also introduced the statutory Fuel Finder scheme, which will increase transparency for UK road fuel prices and the CMA have the power to take enforcement action for non-compliance.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed Walshaw Moor windfarm on peatland hydrology and condition; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that any development proposals mitigate damage to peat soils.

The Calderdale Energy Park project is at the pre-application stage of the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure under the 2008 Planning Act, and is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by June 2026, after which it will be subject to a full planning enquiry before it comes to the department for decision.Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in taking decisions on nationally-significant energy applications for development consent, it would not be appropriate to comment on matters related to the project, as this could be seen as prejudicing the decision-making process.