Government Statement
With permission, Mr Speaker, Michael Gove made a statement regarding the decision to grant planning permission for a new metallurgical coalmine at Whitehaven in Cumbria. He emphasised that this decision is based on a quasi-judicial process and noted that it might be subject to legal challenge. The minister highlighted the comprehensive public inquiry which lasted over a month, involving 40 witnesses and resulting in a report of over 350 pages. Gove clarified that the proposal was not an energy initiative but rather for coking coal used in steel production, aligning with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's industrial decarbonisation strategy. He noted that while coal is being phased out from electricity supply by 2024, there remains a continued demand for coking coal over several decades, especially due to its quality characteristics compared to imported coal. The minister also pointed out that the mine would be net zero and support the transition to low-carbon future. Environmental impacts were assessed as having no unacceptable consequences on ecology or biodiversity, with an overall neutral effect on climate change. Gove concluded by stressing the economic benefits of job creation (532 direct jobs) and increased spending in local businesses, affirming that granting permission is compliant with planning policy.