Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has taken steps to ensure that the operation of radar does not restrict the implementation of the Government’s offshore wind sector deal.

It is essential that UK aviation continues to benefit from a high standard of safety, and the windfarm industry will continue to play a key role in ensuring that this remains the case. The Offshore Wind Sector deal could deliver up to 30GW by 2030 and the Government has committed to work across Government, including aviation, to ensure this is achieved in a sustainable way taking account of users of the sea, aviation and Ministry of Defence.

The process of upgrading civil and military radar by around 2030 will be led by the Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services, as they look to procure systems in line with their future requirements.

An Aviation Management Board has been established for the Government to work jointly with both the windfarm industry and the aviation sector to find a solution which meets the needs of both industries and ensures a safe airspace.