Written questions by Yemm.

Further to the meeting Ministers in his Department had with the Trustees of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme on Thursday 30th April 2026, if he will provide an update on progress to resolve the outstanding issues within the scheme.

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the MPS Trustees on changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The meeting on 30 April involved a constructive discussion of the proposals and how they might be taken forward. The government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an announcement once agreement has been reached.

If he will take steps to include air ambulance charities within national fuel resilience and prioritisation planning, including consideration alongside Category 1 responders.

The UK benefits from a diverse and resilient fuel supply chain and remains well supplied across all fuel types. The Government regularly reviews which organisations provide essential services within the context of the National Emergency Plan for Fuel. This includes consideration of air ambulance charities, recognising the vital role they play in emergency response and patient care. A summary of the National Emergency Plan for Fuel is published on gov.uk and sets out measures to respond to fuel supply and distribution disruption. In the unlikely event of a sustained disruption, these arrangements enable fuel to be prioritised for essential services and critical supply chains. The Government does not assess that the current situation warrants, or is approaching, the threshold for the use of emergency powers.

What steps his Department is taking to support people who use a pre-payment energy meter.

We are delivering the £150 Warm Home Discount to eligible customers – including those with Pre Payment Meters – to support them with their bills.Ofgem has introduced stringent rules for the involuntary installation of Pre Payment Meters, helping to ensure vulnerable households are protected. Through our review of Ofgem, we will make sure that the regulator is a proper consumer champion that stands up for the interests of billpayers across the country.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help lower the cost of electric vehicle charging.

Electric vehicle owners who have access to private charging facilities can fuel their vehicles for much less than it costs to fuel a combustion engine car. Further savings can be made if owners use smart charging, so that their electric vehicle batteries are charged outside of peak demand periods. Government is however aware of the cost discrepancies between private and public charging and is working with Ofgem and others to explore measures to bring down the costs of public charging, including in the areas detailed within the Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan 2023.