18 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhat assessment he has made of the potential impact of alignment with EU Single Electricity Market regulations on the ability of the UK to innovate on commercial nuclear (a) fission and (b) f
ReplyThe detailed scope of alignment will be determined through negotiations. The Secretary of State’s priority is to drive delivery in the sector, including through the Government’s approach to nuclear fission—taking a Final Investment Decision on Sizewell C,...
18 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 20 May 2026, to Question 216, on UK Relations with EU, whether the UK will also be required to contribute to the EU Cohesion programme in order to participate in the
ReplyThe UK is currently negotiating with the EU to link our two Emissions Trading Schemes. We are not seeking to rejoin or participate in the EU ETS. To achieve a link between the UK ETS and EU ETS, we will not be required to contribute to the EU Cohesion Pro...
18 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the news story, "New appointment to the Committee on Fuel Poverty", of 18 May 2026, whether Fallon Wilkinson made a declaration of previous political activity; and whether t
ReplyThe appointment of Fallon Wilkinson to the Committee on Fuel Poverty was a regulated appointment made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
18 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the Independent research into government transparency releases published by the Ethics and Integrity Commission on 12 May 2026, page 16, whether ministerial meetings took pl
ReplyDetails of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
17 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 110793, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, how many and what proportion of full-time staff o
ReplyAs of 19th June 2026, there were 4,812 staff employed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Information on the individual working patterns of staff on compressed hours is not held centrally, and the Department is therefore unable to provide ...
16 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the Regulatory Policy Committee document entitled Post-implementation reviews outstanding across government 2015 to 2026, updated 12 May 2026, what steps his Department is t
ReplyAll five of the Post-implementation reviews (PIRs) referenced in the Regulatory Policy Committee document of 12 May 2026 have now been published.
12 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Pending
AskedWhether his special advisers (a) undertake any work for and (b) been seconded to the Labour Party.
5 Jun 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the answer of 22 April 2026 to Question 126590 on Electricity: UK Trade with EU, how will the deregulatory reforms set out in the Fingleton Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 be
ReplyThe regulatory changes we are making will provide the best outcomes for both nuclear development and the environment, by offering a more streamlined and co-ordinated pathway to deliver environmental protections. There will be no change to the high environ...
29 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhether his Department has signed agreements with the Chinese Government that have not been published.
ReplyThe Government has published all DESNZ ministerial MoUs agreed with China since it came to power. This includes an updated Energy MoU signed in March 2025 and a Climate MoU signed in June 2025, noting increased public interest in the agreements and misinf...
20 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, updated November 2024, whether his special advisers undertake any work for the Labour Party, or have been seconded to the Labour Pa
ReplyAs per the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, where a special adviser wishes to undertake work for a political party which does not arise out of government business they may do this either in their own time, outside office hours, or under a separate co...
10 Apr 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhether a Regulatory Impact Assessment has been produced in relation UK membership of the EU Electricity Market and the ETS scheme.
ReplyWe will negotiate an electricity agreement with the EU to cut the cost of trading electricity with European partners, strengthen our energy security, drive investment in the North Sea, and help to achieve our Clean Power 2030 Mission. In parallel, the Government is negotiating the potential for linking the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes, which could help UK companies avoid paying taxes on up to £7 billion of exports. The detailed commitments under any such agreement, including any assessment of impacts, will be developed as part of the negotiations.
10 Apr 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026, to Question 119897, and of 3 February 2026, to Question 108241, on Mission Boards, on what dates the Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board meet since it ceased to be a Cabinet committee in November 2025.
ReplyThe Clean Energy Superpower Mission remains a key priority across government and is being driven by a number of different groups at Ministerial and official level, including the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission itself. As a result of this the Mission Board itself has not met since the change in Cabinet Committee structures.
25 Mar 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding on linking the Emission Trading Systems of the European Union and the United Kingdom, of December 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the proposed reform of the EU Emissions Trading System.
ReplyThe UK and EU agreed to work towards linking their respective emissions trading schemes at the May 2025 Summit and linking negotiations to that end are underway. The EU Emissions Trading System is undergoing review currently and proposals emanating from that review are expected to be issued this summer.
19 Mar 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113596 on Mission Boards, if he will publish the current terms of reference of the Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board; and whether the terms of reference have been amended.
ReplyThe Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board was a Cabinet Level Committee until November 2025. Information about the proceedings of the Cabinet, or of any committee of the Cabinet, is not normally shared publicly. The terms of reference for the Board are under review and have not yet been finalised.
26 Jan 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedIf he will make an assessment of the potential impact of dynamic alignment with the EU electricity market on deregulation.
ReplyWe will negotiate an electricity agreement with the EU to cut the cost of trading electricity with European partners, strengthen our energy security, drive investment in the North Sea, and help to achieve our Clean Power 2030 Mission. The detail of commitments in this agreement, as with other areas, is a matter for negotiations. This does not change the Government’s plans to ensure regulators and regulation support growth.
29 Oct 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhether Nigel Topping has made a declaration of political activity.
ReplyThe appointment of Nigel Topping as Chair of the Climate Change Committee was made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In supporting evidence for his pre-appointment scrutiny by the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on 16 July 2025, Nigel Topping confirmed he had no political activity to disclose. Nigel Topping brings a wealth of experience to the CCC Chair position, having been appointed to several public roles under previous governments, including as High-Level Climate Action Champion for COP26 in 2020 and as a Board Member of the UK Infrastructure Bank in 2022.
23 Oct 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWith reference to page 91 of his Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, published on 15 September 2025, HC 1274, for what reason was facility time increased from £49,777 in 2023-24 to £69,892 in 2024-25; what was the increase in facility time as a proportion of the pay bill; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of funding trade union activities from facility time.
ReplyThe increase results from an increased headcount and pay bill in the department; ongoing transformation work necessitating high levels of Trade Union engagement and increased engagement following the change of Government in July 2024. The increase in pay bill from 2023/24 to 2024/25, accounted for 0.0058% of the 2024/25 paybill. No assessment has been made.
21 Oct 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhether the Climate Change Committee is subject to (a) the Civil Service Code and (b) guidance from the (i) Cabinet Office and (ii) Government Communication Service on political impartiality.
ReplyAs an independent, statutory body, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) is not subject to the Civil Service Code. Board Members are expected to adhere to the Cabinet Office's code of conduct for Board Members of public bodies, as well as other central guidance around conduct. Staff are subject to the CCC's own code of conduct. There is a long-standing principle that public bodies must be politically impartial, and all public bodies must comply with the rules on lobbying, attendance at party conference, advertising, marketing and PR.
29 Aug 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhether appointments to the National Energy Systems Operator will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; whether the Chair appointment will be classified as a Significant Appointment.
ReplyAs the Shareholder of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero appoints the Chair of NESO's Board. This appointment is subject to the Public Appointments Order in Council and as such must comply with the Governance code on Public Appointments. The appointment of NESO’s Chair was also considered a Significant Appointment and therefore involved a Senior Independent Panel Member.
15 Jul 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question HL8158 on Arm’s Length Bodies, what is the (a) purpose and (b) function of Project Seahorse.
ReplyI refer the hon. Member to the answers of 29 May 2025 to Question UIN 53535 and of 16 July 2025 to Question UIN 65871.