Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of illegal work in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is delivering record investment in supply chains to create good, well paid jobs in the construction of renewable energy projects across the country, Through the Office for Clean Energy Jobs we are working to improve terms and conditions for workers.
The specific information requested is not held by the Department.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many workers in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry were not British nationals in each year since 2015.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is delivering record investment in supply chains to create good, well paid jobs in the construction of renewable energy projects across the country, Through the Office for Clean Energy Jobs we are working to improve terms and conditions for workers.
The specific information requested is not held by the Department.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the size of the UK’s gas reserves in each year between 2025 and 2030.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Data on UK gas reserves is published in Energy in Brief; data for 2024 will be published on 31st July 2025. The North Sea Transition Authority publish projected production between 2025 and 2050.
The Midstream Gas System: Update to the Market published on 30th June highlights the government's focus on ensuring the resilience of gas supply and infrastructure as domestic production declines.
Asked by: Lord Harris of Haringey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield on 16 June (HL7934), whether the four fires referred to include the fires at the substations in Huddersfield on 17 March 2025, in Hayes on 20 March 2025, near Lakeside Retail Park on 10 April 2025, and in Maida Vale on 29 April 2025; whether these were the only fires in substations in the last five years of which they are aware; and whether they are satisfied that all such fires are reported.
Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To clarify, five substation fires were reported to Government in the last five years, not four. In 2025, Government was informed of the fire at North Hyde Substation in Hayes in March, the fire at Aberdeen Place Substation in Maida Vale in April, and the fires at Exeter Substation and St John’s Wood Substation in May. In September 2021, Government was informed of the fire at Sellindge Substation.
Although rare, fires occasionally occur on the electricity network. DESNZ was not notified of the fires in Huddersfield and near Lakeside Retail Park in Brynmawr as these incidents fell below well-established incident reporting thresholds with industry. These thresholds are set so Government can monitor any potential or actual impact to customer supplies and act where necessary.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of international conflicts on the oil market, and whether they intend to implement measures to reduce the effect of such external shocks on the UK economy.
Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year.
The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.
Asked by: Bradley Thomas (Conservative - Bromsgrove)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what contingency plans his Department has put in place in the event of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of a closure on energy security in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year. We have not witnessed any material reduction of traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. DESNZ will continue monitoring closely for any future impacts.
The UK holds oil stocks that can be released onto the global market collectively with releases by other International Energy Agency member countries in the event of a global oil supply disruption.
The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of cellular internet modules on (a) wind turbines, and (b) solar panels imported from China.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the Department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.
The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of labour abuse in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is aware of the abhorrent allegations of forced labour in clean energy supply chains and is committed to tackling it.
That is why we have amended the Great British Energy Act 2025, making it clear that GBE is committed to adopting measures so it acts on any evidence of forced labour in its supply chains – as we would expect of any responsible company.
Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses take action against modern slavery. We are further considering how to strengthen Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including possible penalties for non-compliance.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the white paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on overseas recruitment in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisors in his Department have had with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.