Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kirsty Blackman this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–17 of 17 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the finding by the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce that fewer than 10% of energy sector businesses are confident the UK will have sufficient skills capacity to deliver its energy transition ambitions; and what steps his Department is taking to address that gap.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's renewable energy targets that developers in the north of Scotland face higher transmission charges than those in southern England, in the context of the region possessing some of Europe's greatest renewable energy resources.
Awaiting answer.
What target timescales his Department has set for the determination of offshore wind and grid connection planning applications; and what steps he is taking to reduce delays in consenting for nationally significant energy infrastructure.
Awaiting answer.
Whether he has received representations from North Sea operators regarding the offer to invest £17.5 billion in new domestic oil and gas projects in exchange for early implementation of the Oil and Gas Price Mechanism.
Awaiting answer.
Whether he is taking steps to review and revise the DESNZ North Sea Future Plan in consultation with the sector, in response to feedback from energy sector businesses on that plan.
Awaiting answer.
What comparative assessment his Department has made of the lifecycle emissions of imported liquefied natural gas against domestically produced North Sea gas.
Awaiting answer.
What steps his Department is taking to reform TNUoS charging arrangements ahead of CfD Allocation Round 8.
By law, transmission charging arrangements are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Ofgem are currently reviewing the arrangements and are holding a call for input. Government is supporting Ofgem closely on the review, as part of our wider Reformed National Pricing programme and our delivery of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan. We will ensure that transmission charging is reformed as soon as possible.
Pursuant to the Answers of 13 June 2025 to Questions (a) 57249, (b) 57250 and (c) 57251, how many departmental roles are based in Aberdeen; what additional roles are planned for the city following the establishment of the UK Energy Campus; and what his planned timeline is for establishing the Campus.
As of July 2025, there were 100 staff members based in Aberdeen, comprising a wide variety of roles within the department. The development of the Aberdeen Energy Campus is in its initial stages. In line with the Cabinet Office Thematic Campus principles, we are looking to determine the most appropriate model for the location, working closely with other government departments and arms-length bodies. Additionally, departmental workforce strategy and business planning outcomes will play a significant role in shaping and influencing this process.
When he plans to respond to the consultation on Building the North Sea’s Energy Future, which closed on 30 April 2025.
DESNZ is currently analysing the responses received. We will publish a government response setting out our next steps in due course.
What his planned timeline is for establishing the UK Energy Campus in Aberdeen; and over what period departmental roles will be transferred or created there.
Aberdeen was announced as one of DESNZ’s second headquarters in December 2023. This commitment to the location underlines the importance of Aberdeen in our Net Zero planning. As of May 2025, there were 100 staff members based in Aberdeen, comprising a wide variety of roles within the department. The ambition is to increase this number and for DESNZ to continue to grow in Aberdeen, with the creation of Great British Energy and the possibility of other Scotland-based Arm's Length Bodies also becoming part of the Energy Campus. The establishment of a new Energy Campus in Aberdeen is part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, aimed at fostering collaboration. By relocating skilled roles to the same town or city, government campuses bring together civil servants with diverse skills and expertise through a shared policy or delivery focus. This approach aims to address issues and improve services for working people across the country. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has indicated that further details on the Energy Campus will be set out in due course following the completion of the current Spending Review process.
How many of his Department's jobs are based in Aberdeen; and how many additional Department roles will be based there once the UK has established its Energy Campus.
Aberdeen was announced as one of DESNZ’s second headquarters in December 2023. This commitment to the location underlines the importance of Aberdeen in our Net Zero planning. As of May 2025, there were 100 staff members based in Aberdeen, comprising a wide variety of roles within the department. The ambition is to increase this number and for DESNZ to continue to grow in Aberdeen, with the creation of Great British Energy and the possibility of other Scotland-based Arm's Length Bodies also becoming part of the Energy Campus. The establishment of a new Energy Campus in Aberdeen is part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, aimed at fostering collaboration. By relocating skilled roles to the same town or city, government campuses bring together civil servants with diverse skills and expertise through a shared policy or delivery focus. This approach aims to address issues and improve services for working people across the country. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has indicated that further details on the Energy Campus will be set out in due course following the completion of the current Spending Review process.
Which departmental roles are based in Aberdeen; and what kinds of additional roles he expects to be located there following the establishment of the UK Energy Campus.
Aberdeen was announced as one of DESNZ’s second headquarters in December 2023. This commitment to the location underlines the importance of Aberdeen in our Net Zero planning. As of May 2025, there were 100 staff members based in Aberdeen, comprising a wide variety of roles within the department. The ambition is to increase this number and for DESNZ to continue to grow in Aberdeen, with the creation of Great British Energy and the possibility of other Scotland-based Arm's Length Bodies also becoming part of the Energy Campus. The establishment of a new Energy Campus in Aberdeen is part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, aimed at fostering collaboration. By relocating skilled roles to the same town or city, government campuses bring together civil servants with diverse skills and expertise through a shared policy or delivery focus. This approach aims to address issues and improve services for working people across the country. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has indicated that further details on the Energy Campus will be set out in due course following the completion of the current Spending Review process.
How many (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications posts there are in his Department; and what the salary band is for each post.
In the central Communications team of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, there are a total of 86 Full Time Equivalent Government Communications Service posts.Of this 24 work in media relations. This is the latest available data from March 2025.
When Scottish industries will be able to decarbonise operations using the Scottish Cluster.
We are committed to supporting UK industry to decarbonise, enabling the country to take advantage of new opportunities that can promote growth and wealth creation, and protecting thousands of jobs in regions and industries across the UK. The Scottish Cluster Acorn has received £40 million in development funding in recent years, and officials continue to engage with the cluster to understand their plans. Following the announcement in October 2024 of funding for the initial Track 1 cluster configurations, further decisions for continued CCUS deployment, including for Track 2 clusters, will be taken in due course.
What steps he is taking to ensure that Aberdeen’s skilled North Sea oil and gas workforce is supported to transition into jobs in (a) carbon capture and storage and (b) hydrogen in the Scottish Cluster.
The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is supporting the delivery of an industry-led Energy Skills Passport as part of a fair, orderly and prosperous transition. This is an important step to help workers transition from carbon-intensive industries to new clean energy sectors as part of the Government's clean energy mission 2030. The government is working with the Scottish government, Renewable UK and Offshore Energies UK, to identify how to expand the passport in the future, offering strategic direction based on policy ambition such as the Clean Power 2030 target, which could include incorporating clean energy sectors like CCUS and hydrogen.Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, recognising the expertise, skilled workforce, and diversity of projects already in place.
What steps he is taking to help prevent North Sea oil and gas workers leaving the UK.
The Government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs, with no community left behind. The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is supporting the delivery of an industry-led Energy Skills Passport as part of this transition. It is an important step to help workers transition from carbon-intensive industries to new clean energy sectors as part of the Government's Clean Power 2030 mission.Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, recognising the expertise, skilled workforce, and diversity of projects already in place.
What steps he is taking to ensure that Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage is deployed in Scotland.
We are committed to supporting UK industry to decarbonise, enabling the country to take advantage of new opportunities that can promote growth and wealth creation, and protecting thousands of jobs in regions and industries across the UK. The Scottish Cluster Acorn has received £40 million in development funding in recent years, and officials continue to engage with the cluster to understand their plans. Following the announcement in October 2024 of funding for the initial Track 1 cluster configurations, further decisions for continued CCUS deployment, including for Track 2 clusters, will be taken in due course.