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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his policy is on the development of new domestic coal mines and reducing fossil fuel usage; and if he will make a statement.

Domestic coal production fell to a record low of 4 million tonnes in 2016. The development of any new domestic coal mines is subject to the relevant planning consents, which include appropriate environmental impact and public safety assessments.

Around two-thirds of demand for coal in 2016 was for electricity generation, which has also fallen to record lows. The Government has made firm its commitment ending unabated coal power generation by 2025 and to target an effective carbon price ahead of then, to drive investment in cleaner, more flexible forms of generation.