Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many civil servants employed by their Department work in roles primarily focused on (a) transgender policy, (b) diversity, (c) equity and (d) inclusion; and at what annual salary cost.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There are no roles in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero primarily focussed on transgender policy. The Department has fewer than five staff in roles primarily focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The total annual salary cost is in the range of £163,800 - £183,500.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the cost to the public purse was of feasibility studies conducted by their Department for projects that did not proceed in the last five years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero does not hold this information centrally. The information can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
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 energy costs on the profitability of pubs and hospitality venues.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Tackling affordability is the Government’s number one priority and we recognise the challenges businesses, such as pubs and hospitality venues, face in securing appropriate, fair and competitively priced energy contracts.
The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers – including businesses – permanently.
Beyond this, the Government and Ofgem are taking decisive action to inform and protect non-domestic energy consumers as well as improving access to redress when issues occur.
Many businesses engage with the energy market through energy brokers and other third-party intermediaries. Government recently announced plans to appoint Ofgem to regulate intermediaries, when Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for the total spend on (i) LinkedIn membership fees (ii) other subscriptions by his Department in the last financial year.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This information is not held centrally for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As of 31 October 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had less than five employees on sickness absence for six months or more where the recorded reason related to mental health. The exact number has been redacted to avoid identification of individuals.
The Department records sickness absence reasons in line with Civil Service categories, which include stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.
The Department offers a range of support including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and access to occupational health services.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether UK (a) climate and (b) carbon capture, usage and storage initiatives are coordinated with U.S. federal or state programmes.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The United States is Britain’s closest ally. Our two countries have a long, deep history of close cooperation. This is demonstrated by the Technology Prosperity Deal signed by the Prime Minister and the President during his recent State Visit, which included ambitious civil nuclear collaboration.
The United States are also a key UK partner in Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, as the world leader in deployment and current capacity, on which we each engage multilaterally within the Carbon Management Challenge and the Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS Initiative.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many employees in his Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes information on the number of civil servants earning over £100,000 per year, including those earning £166,000 or more, in its Organogram of Staff Roles and Salaries. The latest data is publicly available here: DESNZ Organogram of Staff Roles & Salaries - data.gov.uk
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of departmental procurement contracts were awarded to British companies in the 2024-2025 financial year.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero awarded 98.5% of its contracts to British Companies.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As at 2 July 2025, 10 DESNZ employees, who are all UK-based, have exceptionally been given permission to work remotely outside of the UK for a limited period. The countries are Thailand, Botswana, Barbados, India, Slovenia, United States of America, France, Belgium and Ireland. Permission is granted for various reasons, including to accompany a partner posted overseas on official government business.
International remote working is separate from and does not include employees who are conducting official business abroad. DESNZ’s international remote working policy allows staff to make an application to work remotely overseas for a short period of time for a number of limited reasons. Approval of such a request is subject to the employee having the legal right to work in the country and the necessary security and other clearances.