Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48449 on Financial Services: Environment Protection, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of investing in municipal green investment (a) bonds and (b) loans being offered by local authorities on customers.

The Government recognises the significant progress made through the use of local municipal green bonds. So far fourteen councils have launched these bonds, mobilising over £11.5 million and giving thousands of investors the opportunity to invest in improvements to their local communities.

We acknowledge that local authorities are free to determine their own investment strategies. In doing so they must, however, have regard to statutory guidance that sets out best practice to ensure decisions are prudent, affordable and sustainable, and comply with their Best Value Duty. Investments should represent value for money and not place tax payers’ money at excessive risk.