Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what non-electricity generating uses his Department plans for indigenous coal in the UK's industrial strategy; and if he will make a statement.

We are committed to ensuring the supply of secure, affordable and clean energy for businesses and households.

Coal production in the UK has fallen significantly from approx. 30 million tonnes in 2000 to 4.2 million tonnes in 2016 [1]. While there remain some markets for coal, this decline has been driven largely by the decline in coal power generation. This decline is set to continue ahead of the end to unabated coal generation in 2025.

Our Industrial Strategy is about driving growth right across the whole country. We will work with places to build on their particular strengths and to address barriers to growth.

An additional £1.8 billion from the Local Growth Fund has been allocated for a new set of Growth Deals between Government and Local Enterprise Partnerships; £23bn National Productivity Investment Fund to drive productivity across the country; a new £300m Skills Fund to skill-up workers.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/643414/DUKES_2017.pdf (page 39)