Every parliamentary written question tabled by Charlie Dewhirst this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 31 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
With reference to the policy paper entitled UK–China memorandum of understanding, 2025, published on 27 February 2026, for what reason the agreement signed in March 2025 was published in February 2026.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 118358, on Clean Energy Mission Board: Membership, which delivery partners were in attendance at its most recent meeting.
The most recent meeting of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board was in November 2025. At that time it was still a Cabinet Committee and specific information about attendance and discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees is not normally shared publicly.
With reference to the letter dated 10 September 2025 from the Strategy Directorate at the Department for Energy Strategy and Net Zero, dated 10 September 2025 and deposited in the House of Commons Library on 13 March 2026, if he will provide the equivalent information on domestic flights for each Minister from September 2025.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
If he will place in the Library a copy of the Freedom of Information Act disclosure, reference FOI2025/11799, of 10 September 2025.
I will arrange for a copy of the document requested to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026, to Question 106733, on Clean Energy Mission Board: Membership, if he will list the (a) internal and (b) external members who attended the Mission Board in its most recent meeting.
The most recent Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board focused on electricity networks. Alongside the Secretary of State and myself, representatives from across Government, Ofgem, NESO and relevant delivery partners were in attendance.
Whether (a) Great British Energy and (b) Great British Energy – Nuclear are separate public bodies; what the statutory basis is of each; and whether those bodies share back offices, staff and premises.
Great British Energy (GBE) and Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) are separate public bodies. The Great British Energy Act 2025 provides the statutory basis for GBE and The Energy Act 2023 provides the statutory basis for GBE-N. GBE’s headquarters will be in Aberdeen and GBE-N's headquarters are in Warrington. The two entities do not share staff.
Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106735 on DESNZ: Facilities Agreements, who authorised the use of paid trade union facility time for trade union activities; and on what date the authorisation was.
Requests for paid trade union facility time for trade union activities over the course of 2024-25 were considered and approved by local line management, by exception. HR can and do advise line managers on appropriate use of facility time and monitor levels, in line with departmental guidance.
Whether (a) he and (b) his Permanent Secretary approved the use of paid facility time for trade union activities outlined in the 2024-25 departmental annual report and accounts.
The departmental Trade Union Facility Time Guidance sets out a provision for paid activity time to be requested and approved, by exception. This is managed/agreed locally by management from a day to day perspective. The overall levels of activity time are monitored by HR and any concerns are dealt with on behalf of the Secretary of State/Permanent Secretary.
Pursuant to the answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 74317 on DESNZ: Social Media, which social media influencers have been paid to undertake advertising for his Department since July 2024.
Due to commercial confidentiality, we are unable to release this information.
Pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2025 to Question 98794 on Mission Boards, who the internal and external members are of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board.
The Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board is chaired by the DESNZ Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP. The board does not have a fixed list of internal or external members, rather we engage with other government departments, external organisations and industry experts depending on the issues for discussion.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Outcome of the exploratory discussions on the possible participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market, published on 22 December 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of dynamic alignment on the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce: interim report of 24 November 2025.
The detail of commitments for a future agreement for the UK’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market is a matter for negotiations. As the Chancellor set out at Budget, the government will present a full response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review within three months, taking account of our international obligations, national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes. The government will complete implementation of the Nuclear Regulatory Review within two years, subject to legislative timelines on elements requiring primary legislation.
Whether any of the members of the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission have made a declaration of political activity; and where their declarations of interest are published.
Members of the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission were asked to declare political activity during the application process and none were declared. We do not publish their conflicts of interest.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Outcome of the exploratory discussions on the possible participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market, published on 22 December 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive on (a) consumers, (b) business and (c) the economy.
An electricity agreement with the EU will cut the cost of trading electricity with the EU - this means lower wholesale costs and ultimately lower bills. Any agreement will naturally involve a balance of rights and obligations to ensure a level playing field in the trade of electricity between the Parties.In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, we will discuss the relevant rules on the promotion of renewables. The detail of commitments in this area, as with other areas, is a matter for negotiations.
Whether staff at the National Energy System Operator are permitted to own shares in National Grid.
New employees at the National Energy System Operator (NESO) are required to divest any holding of energy sector shares, including in National Grid plc. For employees transferring from National Grid Energy System Operator there are legacy arrangements in place. They have been allowed to keep their existing shares in the energy sector to prevent any individuals unfairly losing out in the NESO transaction. Employees are required to disclose shareholdings, seek approval for any share sales, and cannot purchase new shares. The board and Executive team cannot acquire new energy sector shares and have to divest all existing holdings over time.
Which pension provider maintains the staff pension scheme for the National Energy System Operator; and whether staff are offered (a) defined benefit and (b) defined contribution pensions.
The employees of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) are not civil servants and are not part of civil service pension schemes. As noted in NESO’s latest annual report and accounts, Legal & General administer the company’s defined contribution pension scheme. There is a legacy defined benefit scheme, transferred as part of the acquisition by government, however this scheme is closed to new members/employees.
With reference to paragraph 9 of the document entitled Outcome of the exploratory discussions on the possible participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market, published on 22 December 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential of the environmental protection clause on costs for consumers.
An electricity agreement with the EU will cut the cost of trading electricity with the EU - this means lower wholesale costs and ultimately lower bills. Any agreement will naturally involve a balance of rights and obligations to ensure a level playing field in the trade of electricity between the Parties. The detail of environmental commitments in this agreement, as with other areas, is a matter for negotiations.
Further to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, Data for July to September 2025, published by Cabinet Office on 25 December 2025, for what reason the requirement to reduce dependency on advisory services based in the Global North is a key performance indicator in the contract with DAI Global UK.
This KPI relates to a contract with DAI Global UK for the delivery of an overseas development assistance (ODA) funded programme to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries. The KPI aims to encourage delivery through downstream partners based in developing countries in order to build local leadership and expertise, reducing long-term reliance on UK aid. The headline contract was competitively tendered and awarded to a UK-based supplier.
Further to the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s annual report 2024-25, published December 2025, Appendix: direct appointments, what the business case was for appointing Climate Change Committee members for three years without open and fair competition; and if he will publish relevant correspondence to and from the Public Appointments Commissioner.
Professor Swenja Surminski was appointed to the CCC's Adaptation Committee in 2022 following a fair and open competition. She was subsequently appointed as a member of the Climate Change Committee to enhance collaboration between the two Committees, as allowed for under the Climate Change Act 2008. The Commissioner for Public Appointments was consulted, in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
What the (a) name, (b) job title, (c) annual remuneration, (d) time commitment and (e) expected end date is for each direct ministerial appointment in his Department.
The information requested is attached.
Whether Sizewell C will be classified as (a) public or (b) private expenditure and borrowing for the purposes of the national accounts.
While HMG's investments in the project since November 2022 have resulted in the project being consolidated to the government’s balance sheet, a decision on the economic classification of Sizewell C will be made by the Office for National Statistics, independently of HMG.