To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received from the European Commission on his Department's timetable for proposed tax changes affecting community energy societies.

The Government is in ongoing discussions with the European Commission on the expansion of the Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR). Discussions relating to State aid applications are confidential and the Government is therefore not able to provide any more detail at this stage.

Budget 2015 announced that there will be a transition period of six months following the confirmation of State aid approval for the expansion of SITR before eligibility for the Enterprise Investment Scheme, Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust Scheme is withdrawn for community energy organisations benefiting from subsidies for the generation of renewable energy.