Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential economic merits to former coalfield communities of distributing the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme's undistributed surplus to members through higher pension payments.

I recognise the benefits to coalfield communities of higher pension payments. The Government has already transferred £3.8bn to members of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme which has already made a significant impact.