Caroline Flint – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Flint on 2015-01-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the contribution of 6 November 2014 by the Minister of State in his Department, Official Report, column 949, what his Department’s policy is on the provision of state aid to UK Coal in respect of Thoresby and Kellingley coal mines.

Matthew Hancock

UK Coal submitted a request for additional public sector support to extend the working life of the Thoresby and Kellingley coal mines on 16 January 2015. The Government is carefully considering this request including whether it represents acceptable value for money and is a good use of taxpayer’s money.

If the Government concludes there is merit in supporting the new plan, it would need to ensure the plan is consistent with state aid rules applying to the coal sector and seek approval from the European Commission to pay aid to UK Coal.