Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on UK supply chain businesses, including engine servicing and specialist engineering firms, of the end of Renewables Obligation support for landfill gas generation on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is aware that the end of Renewables Obligation support could affect wider supply chain for landfill gas generators.
In exploring the options for potential future support, the Government is considering the economic impacts, including value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer. The department provides regular updates to the sector and will provide further updates in due course.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her department has made of the (a) number of sites, (b) installed capacity and (c) annual generation of landfill gas to energy plants that will lose Renewables Obligation support after 31 March 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Based on information from Ofgem as at August 2026, the RO support of 312 landfill gas stations across the UK, with a total capacity of around 484MW, will end on 31 March 2027. A further 60 stations will continue after that date with a total capacity of around 71MW compared to around 265MW at present. The total reduction in capacity is forecast to reduce generation by around 1.7TWh in 2027/28.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her department has made of the impact on the UK’s international methane emission commitments of the expiration of the Renewables Obligation for landfill gas to energy generation on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is aware that Renewables Obligation support will begin to end in March 2027 and is committed to reducing methane emissions.
The Government is exploring options for potential future support, and proposals will undergo proper scrutiny and consideration, including a robust assessment of emissions impacts. The department provides regular updates to the sector and will provide further in due course.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when her department expects transitional support for the landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) sector will be in place after the Renewables Obligation for landfill gas to energy generation expires on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is working to explore options for a potential transitional scheme and recognises that support for some generators expires in March 2027. We provide regular updates to the sector and will provide further in due course.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her department has made of whether a transitional scheme for landfill gas generation can be designed, approved, and implemented before Renewables Obligation support for this technology expires on 31 March 2027; and what contingency arrangements it has in place if it cannot.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is working to explore options for a potential transitional scheme and recognises that support for some generators expires in March 2027. We provide regular updates to the sector and will provide further in due course.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delays in the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing process on specialist vehicle manufacturers; what steps she is taking to increase IVA testing capacity and improve the flexibility of the DVSA booking system; and whether she has considered allowing vehicles for which a valid IVA application has been submitted to be registered, taxed and placed into service pending inspection, subject to appropriate enforcement action where a vehicle subsequently fails its IVA test.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises that delays to Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) tests can affect specialist vehicle manufacturers and other businesses, including through delayed sales and impacts on cash flow.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working with customers to minimise these delays. Demand has increased significantly, with imported vehicle approvals around 24% higher than during the same period last year. Imported vehicles account for around half of DVSA’s IVA testing.
DVSA is increasing testing capacity. Three new IVA assessors have recently started conducting approvals, with a further nine being recruited and trained. This will increase the number of specialist assessors by around 18%.
DVSA is also training additional examiners to carry out routine IVA examinations, simplifying processes and expanding testing at privately owned Vehicle Examination Facilities. It has also reviewed test times to improve efficiency and free up further capacity. These measures will increase testing capacity, widen the choice of locations and provide greater flexibility for customers.
Vehicles must meet the relevant safety, security, and environmental factors before they can be approved for first registration. The Government therefore has no current plans to allow vehicles awaiting an IVA inspection to be registered, taxed and placed into service.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to UIN 16757, when the Government intends to consult on the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Defra and the Environment Agency are undertaking research and development to support the design of a potential long-term methane capture scheme and will factor findings into any design proposals.
The Government continues to explore options for a potential transitional scheme. We provide regular updates to the sector and will provide further in due course.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) fire, (b) explosion and (c) odour risks arising from reduced gas management at landfill sites where landfill gas to electricity generation ceases when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.
Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans the Environment Agency has in place for when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.
Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.
Asked by: Josh Dean (Labour - Hertford and Stortford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made into the impact on light pollution when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.
Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.