Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to support wards receiving funding through the Pride in Place programme in a) Telford, b) West Midlands and c) England.

The Government is committed to ensuring that communities benefit directly from the energy transition.

Currently the Midlands Net Zero Hub (MNZH) is supporting 40 decarbonisation projects across the West Midlands.

Through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the MNZH has successfully supported Telford & Wrekin Council to include energy efficiency improvements at leisure centres as part of a major refurbishment programme, including £2.2 million at Oakengates Leisure Centre and £1.1 million at Wellington Leisure Centre.

In 2025/26, GBE launched a £5 million Community Fund to help groups develop their own clean energy projects, alongside £6.8 million for Local Net Zero Hubs.

As set out in its Strategic Plan, published on 4 December 2025, GBE aims to support over 1,000 local and community projects by 2030.