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UK Emissions Trading Scheme

Asked by Andrew GriffithConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 17 April 2026UIN 124200

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many businesses received free allowances under the Emissions Trading Scheme in each of the last three years.

Answered by Chris McDonald

The number of businesses that received free allowances under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) in each of the last three years was as follows:

2024: 284

2025: 273

2026: 265

Note that the Allocation Table lists the company that operated each site at the time the table was last updated, rather than when the free allowances for a given year were distributed, so the figures above should be treated as approximate for 2024 and 2025.

This information is publicly available on GOV.UK at UK ETS Allocation Table for operators of installations - GOV.UK.

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