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<p>We acknowledge the difficult circumstances facing the heritage steam sector in
light of the high cost of coal on international commodity markets due in part to the
Russia/Ukraine conflict. The Heritage Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, met
the Chief Executive of the Heritage Railway Association along with the All-Party Parliamentary
Group on Heritage Rail in July 2023, to discuss a range of issues, including the availability
and affordability of coal. In November 2023, Lord Parkinson attended the Heritage
Railway Association Annual General Meeting in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where they discussed
the matter further. The Department is continuing to keep an ongoing dialogue with
the heritage steam sector to understand the opportunities and challenges it faces.</p><p>
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