Angus MacDonald MP: written questions
688 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Electricity: NoiseDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance Ofgem provides to electricity network operators on timescales for rectifying infrastructure found to be operating above permitted noise levels.
Answer: Noise from electricity network infrastructure is not regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem’s remit covers the economic regulation of network operators and the protection of consumers.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: NoiseDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on the enforcement of noise standards for electricity transmission infrastructure.
Answer: Noise from electricity network infrastructure is not regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem’s remit covers the economic regulation of network operators and the protection of consumers.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: ScotlandDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106219More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on community benefit expectations for renewable energy developments, including the real-terms value of the £5,000 per inst
Answer: As the government explores options for community benefits, we have engaged with stakeholders across Great Britain, including the Scottish and Welsh Governments.
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: ScotlandDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106218More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on its public consultation on Community Benefits which ended in April 2025.
Answer: The government engages regularly with the Scottish Government regarding community benefits.
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: InfrastructureDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106217More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made since the publication of the working paper Community benefits and shared ownership for low carbon energy infrastructure on 21 May 2025.
Answer: The government is in the process of reviewing responses and intends to publish a response setting out our next steps in due course.
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BillingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105971More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of energy suppliers holding large aggregate customer credit balances on household finances.
Answer: The level of customer credit balances held by energy suppliers is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator. Energy suppliers use credit balances as a way to smooth customer direct debit payments over a year, accounting for seasonal variations in u...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BillingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105970More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had on the potential impact of debit card payments on levels of customer credit balances.
Answer: The level of customer credit balances held by energy suppliers is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator. Energy suppliers use credit balances as a way to smooth customer direct debit payments over a year, accounting for seasonal variations in u...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BillingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance his Department issues to energy suppliers on the level of customer credit balances that are considered reasonable for (a) domestic and (b) business energy accounts.
Answer: The Department issues no such guidance to energy suppliers. Requirements for how energy suppliers should treat customer credit balances are included within the Supplier Licence Conditions. These set out consumer standards, rules on credit balances, and wh...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BillingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of energy suppliers requesting increases to Direct Debit payments from customers who are already in credit on those customers.
Answer: The level of customer credit balances held by energy suppliers is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator. Energy suppliers use credit balances as a way to smooth customer direct debit payments over a year, accounting for seasonal variations in u...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: VATTreasuryTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105912More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the VAT registration threshold on the level of recruitment of additional employees or apprentices by small businesses.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant contribution made by small businesses to economic growth and life in the UK. Tax rates and thresholds are one of a range of factors that affect small businesses’ decisions on growth and recruitment, alongside wide...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: VATTreasuryTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105911More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of VAT registration threshold on incentives for small businesses to increase their turnover.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant contribution made by small businesses to economic growth and life in the UK. Tax rates and thresholds are one of a range of factors that affect small businesses’ decisions on growth and recruitment, alongside wide...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: VATTreasuryTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105910More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data her Department has used to estimate the potential behavioural impacts of changes to the VAT registration threshold on small businesses.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant contribution made by small businesses to economic growth and life in the UK. Tax rates and thresholds are one of a range of factors that affect small businesses’ decisions on growth and recruitment, alongside wide...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: VATTreasuryTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105909More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of raising the VAT registration threshold on the public purse.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant contribution made by small businesses to economic growth and life in the UK. Tax rates and thresholds are one of a range of factors that affect small businesses’ decisions on growth and recruitment, alongside wide...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHelicopters: Rescue ServicesDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of rescue helicopter operational capability.
Answer: Throughout the procurement and service delivery lifecycle of the UK’s contracted search and rescue helicopter provision, capability is continually assessed against demand, ensuring that it will always meet the needs of the public. Recent examples include ...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordJuriesMinistry of JusticeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101178More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of its proposals to alter the use of jury trials on defendants.
Answer: An impact assessment will accompany our legislative measures, as is usual practice.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100812More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what contingency arrangements exist if local radio transmission infrastructure becomes unavailable during a national emergency.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPower Failures: RadioDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100811More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) effectiveness of the role of BBC Radio 4 in national emergency communications and (b) the resilience of its transmission network to power loss.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100810More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that at least one UK-wide emergency radio service remains accessible to the public during extended power outages.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100805More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department holds data on the loss of radio broadcast coverage during recent power outages in the Highlands and Islands.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100804More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the level of difference in emergency radio broadcast resilience between urban areas and rural or remote communities.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100803More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent testing has been undertaken of emergency power systems at radio broadcast transmission sites; and what the results of that testing were.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100801More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of radio broadcast transmission masts are equipped with on-site backup power capable of operating for more than (a) 12 hours, (b) 24 hours and (c) 72 hours without mains electrici
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRadio: Power FailuresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100795More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the availability and duration of backup power supplies for radio broadcast transmission sites during prolonged power outages.
Answer: The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications. DCMS has full oversight of these plans and...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDrax Group: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100762More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Drax is contractually required to disclose to the Government where the trees used in the pellets it purchases were cut down.
Answer: Biomass generators must currently comply with the reporting requirements of the Renewables Obligation and Contract for Difference (CfD). These include reporting sustainability profiling data for biomass which includes the country of purchase of each fuel ...
Answered 24 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDrax Group: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to verify the proportion of wood burnt at Drax that is sustainable.
Answer: Monitoring and enforcement under the existing Renewables Obligation (RO) and Contract for Difference (CfD) schemes are the responsibility of the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) and Ofgem respectively, who conduct independent checks to ensure complianc...
Answered 24 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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