Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has limited levers to influence other departments
Conclusion
On 7 February 2023, the government announced that the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) would close, and its responsibilities would transfer to new departments, including the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (the Department).39 The Department therefore takes the lead for energy security and net zero, and is responsible for achieving the government’s decarbonised power sector ambition.40 It believes that the machinery of government changes that led to its creation provide it with the focus and bandwidth it needs to lead decarbonising the power sector, both now and to scale-up activity in future.41 Nevertheless, it must rely on and successfully influence other government departments and organisations to help it to achieve its power sector decarbonisation ambitions, when it has limited levers to do so.42
Government Response Summary
The government states the recommendation has been implemented, describing its existing robust governance and reporting processes at both ministerial and official levels, including regular inter-departmental meetings, to ensure collaboration and alignment across government departments on decarbonising the power sector.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 Decarbonising the power sector by 2035, subject to security of supply, is a key aspect of reaching Net Zero and therefore the Power Sector Portfolio reports into Net Zero governance. The department has robust governance and reporting processes at ministerial and official level for both strategy and delivery, attended by representatives from all relevant government departments. These provide opportunities to collaborate and prioritise activities in pursuit of decarbonising the power sector. 4.3 The department’s governance structures feed into the ministerial led, Domestic and Economic Affairs (Energy, Climate & Net Zero) and the cabinet sub-committee. These fora are supported at senior official level by a monthly Climate Change Integrated Review and Implementation Group, chaired by a Director General. In addition to formal governance processes, the department’s officials work with counterparts across government to coordinate action, working particularly closely with Cabinet Office and HM Treasury to ensure that net zero is prioritised in government policy and decision-making and aligns with other priorities.