Notts: County police commissioner Paddy Tipping meeting with energy minister Michael Fallon MP after being appointed new chairman of the Coal Forum

The Coal Forum, which meets three or four times a year and is comprised of coal producers, importers and generators, provides advice to the Government on coal policy.

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Tipping said: “I’ve got a long association with the coal industry both in Nottinghamshire and nationally.”

“As a coalfield MP I was involved in the setting up of the coal forum and was delighted to be asked to renew my association with the industry.

“Although only one colliery, Thoresby, remains in Nottinghamshire, coal remains an important part of our energy mix.”

“Today around 40 per cent of the electricity we use is generated by coal. In those terms it is more dominant than nuclear or renewables.

“The major challenges both in the UK and internationally is to burn coal more cleanly and reduce carbon emissions.

“Today’s meeting with the minister focuses on how we can do that primarily through the introduction of carbon capture and storage.”