The government has set out six ‘priority outcomes’ for a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero led by secretary of state Grant Shapps MP.
A mission statement says the new department will “provide dedicated leadership focused on delivering security of energy supply, ensuring properly functioning markets, greater energy efficiency and seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries.”
The immediate priority is ensuring security of supply and “delivering financial security by bringing down energy bills and keeping them down – better insulating consumers from external impacts”.
Longer term will see it also bringing “external delivery expertise to bear on its portfolio of major projects”.
The priority outcomes are:
• Ensure the UK is on track to meet its legally binding Net Zero commitments and support economic growth by significantly speeding up delivery of network infrastructure and domestic energy production.
• Improve the energy efficiency of UK homes, businesses and public sector buildings to meet the 15% demand reduction ambition.
• Deliver current schemes to support energy consumers with their bills and develop options for long-term reform to improve how the electricity market works for families and businesses.
• Seize the economic benefits of Net Zero, including the jobs and growth created through investment in new green industries.
• Pass the Energy Bill to support the emerging CCUS and hydrogen sectors; to update the governance of the energy system; and to reduce the time taken to consent offshore wind.

A new Department for Business and Trade will take on the business functions of BEIS and will be tasked to “support investment, unlock exports, and open up new markets through trade deals, with joined-up offers of support to UK businesses operating both at home and abroad”, led by Secretary of State Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP.
Among its priority outcomes are to “deliver growth opportunities across the economy; backing business by improving access to finance and delivering a pro-enterprise regulatory system” and to “support business growth and innovation by making the most of Brexit freedoms” (it takes on the job of repealing EU laws). However, priority outcomes for the new business and trade department make no mention of Net Zero – described by Chris Skidmore MP in his recent independent report for government as the “economic opportunity of the 21st century” and “a rush of economic opportunity at a massive, global scale”.
Some parts of the former DBEIS are moving to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, whose responsibilities will include digital. It is tasks with delivering delivering “record levels of R&D” and “talent programmes, physical and digital infrastructure and regulation to support our economy, security, public services and wider government priorities”.