Barry Gardiner MP: written questions
4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026
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Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
9 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Carbon Emissions: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, 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.
Answer: Growth in data centre electricity demand is inherently uncertain and, where additional electricity demand does materialise, the UK’s rapidly decarbonising power sector will help to mitigate the emissions impact. We will continue to test a range of data ce...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBiofuels: Supply ChainsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95584More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help tackle deforestation, air pollution and community health impacts linked to imported biomass supply chains.
Answer: 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 consultatio...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBiofuelsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95583More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that new contracts for biomass do not lead to long-term reliance on imported feedstocks.
Answer: 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 st...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBiofuels: SubsidiesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether biomass subsidies are compatible with the recommendations of the Independent Review of the UK's Greenhouse Gas Removal Strategy.
Answer: 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, unde...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordLynemouth Power Station: BiofuelsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure transparency over contract terms agreed with Lynemouth under new low-carbon dispatchable power arrangements.
Answer: 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 de...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDrax Power Station: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, 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 Departmen
Answer: 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 ...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDrax Power Station: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, 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.
Answer: 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 dire...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFossil Fuels: LicensingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to bring forward primary legislation to ban new oil and gas licences.
Answer: 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....
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFossil Fuels: LicensingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, 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.
Answer: 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...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
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4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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