Lord Moynihan

In line with longstanding process, relevant meetings are declared in the Special Advisor transparency publications.

The Government recognises that predictable tidal generation could complement intermittent wind and solar, potentially reducing system balancing, curtailment and storage needs. Last year NESO published a report on the Strategic Case for Tidal Range which outlined the potential benefits and risks to the consumer, which the Government will consider carefully alongside any future developer proposals.

The Government remains open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing tidal range energy, including barrages and other models. Proposals must demonstrate strong value for money compared with other low-carbon technologies, system benefits and credible environmental mitigation.

The Government recognises that advances in low-head and bi-directional turbine technology could increase generation opportunities for tidal range projects. We remain open to considering well-developed proposals for barrages, lagoons and other approaches to harnessing tidal range energy. Any proposal would need to provide robust evidence of whole-system benefits and economic viability, including value for money compared with other low-carbon technologies.

The Government remains open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing tidal range energy, including barrage schemes and other alternatives. We are considering relevant evidence, including analysis by the National Energy System Operator. Any proposal, and its potential funding model, would need to demonstrate strong value for money compared with other low-carbon technologies, alongside energy-system benefits, an acceptable financial risk profile and credible environmental mitigation.

The government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop its natural resources. This is integral to its right of self-determination, which is grounded in international law. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

The UK Government does not have a quota for the amount of finance that should flow to low-carbon investment, but since the government came to office more than £100 billion in clean energy investment announcements has been secured. Net zero is the economic and industrial opportunity of the 21st century, and economic modelling undertaken by the CBI suggests the UK's net zero economy generated £36.7 billion in gross value added in 2025 and supported 308,000 jobs directly, with a further £51.2 billion in gross value added and 520,000 jobs supported through supply chains

The UK government no longer provides new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas, which includes support provided by UK Export Finance and British International Investment PLC, with limited circumstances set out in public guidance. The National Wealth Fund also does not invest in projects involving extraction, production, transportation, and refining crude oil, natural gas or thermal coal with very limited exemptions.

This government will not introduce quotas on the use of fossil fuel energy.

The Government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and is focused on delivering that commitment in a way that reduces costs for households, strengthens energy security, and supports economic growth across the whole of the UK.

The cost of living is a top priority for this Government. That is why the Prime Minister announced a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills for 6 months from October 1. This immediate action on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October. This comes on top of the actions at last year’s Budget which removed an average of £150 of costs from household energy bills for the years to come, by moving 75% of the domestic costs of the Renewables Obligation to the Exchequer and ending the Energy Company Obligation. Without this action, the price cap would be significantly higher.

The natural decline of North Sea oil and gas has seen more than 70,000 jobs lost in the last decade. New exploration licences will not reverse this trend. We published the North Sea Future Plan (November 2026), setting out how we will support supply chains, protect jobs and secure the next generation of good jobs.

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) published analysis in September 2025 comparing the emissions intensity of domestically produced gas with imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). This analysis is available on the NSTA’s website. In 2024, domestic gas production made up 43% of gross supply, LNG imports accounted for 14%, with the remainder coming from pipeline imports – principally from Norway.

While the UK produces natural gas, it does not produce LNG domestically; LNG is imported and regasified for use in the gas system.

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) published analysis in September 2025 comparing the emissions intensity of domestically produced gas with imported liquefied natural gas. This analysis is available on the NSTA’s website. In 2024, domestic gas production made up 43% of gross supply, LNG imports accounted for 14%, with the remainder coming from pipeline imports – principally from Norway.

North Sea oil and gas production is in natural decline, with a 75 per cent reduction in production occurring between 1999 and 2024.

While we will manage existing oil and gas fields for their lifespan, the government will not issue licences to explore new fields which would only make a marginal difference to overall production.

The UK became a net importer of energy over two decades ago in 2004.

Given the maturity of the basin, further licensing would not reverse its natural decline, nor change the UK’s status as a net importer of oil and gas.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

The Government is introducing sustainable supply chain requirements in contracts and grants. The Procurement Act 2023, now in force, allows contracting authorities to exclude suppliers, helping prevent government contracts from being awarded to those who cannot meet ethical and industry-specific standards. The Overseas Business Risk Guidance highlights regional risks and urges companies to carry out strong due diligence. The Trade Strategy published last year launched a review of responsible business conduct policy.

The Warm Homes Plan is backing British manufacturing, with £140million of investment including through the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, support workforce training and create high-quality jobs across the UK.

The Government does not hold or publish data identifying which UK‑registered firms imported component parts for solar panels containing polycrystalline silicon from China, nor data on how many of these components may have originated from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Solar purchasing thus far has been undertaken by Devolved Governments, Other Government Departments, and relevant Mayoral Combined Authorities and the terms are commercially confidential. However, there have been clear expectations that they must comply with UK procurement rules, including requirements under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Procurement Act 2023.

Great British Energy will lead the way in ethical supply chains by engaging with stakeholders to raise standards and explore alternatives to diversify high-risk supply chains.

The Department for Education are procuring the solar panels for schools under the Solar Partnerships Scheme and have done so under the requirements set out by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and UK procurement controls, as well as making use of Crown Commercial Service frameworks where appropriate.

As a publicly owned company, Great British Energy is expected to lead by example when adhering to the UK’s legislation and guidance on modern slavery, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The Government does not hold or publish data on the specific sources of polycrystalline silicon imported into the UK from China for use in solar panel manufacturing.

The Government is fully committed to our elite sport system and enabling our athletes to achieve their potential and excel on the world stage. The Chancellor has confirmed that a multi-year investment will mean a total of £344 million is invested into UK Sport for Olympic and Paralympic success ahead of the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

UK Sport made their funding decisions following a long and detailed investment process which included extensive discussion and consultation with each of the National Governing Bodies involved, and assessment against their investment principles.

UK Sport have made the following awards for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics:

Squash: £500,000

Baseball/Softball: £700,000

Flag Football: £500,000

Lacrosse: £700,000

T20 Cricket, as a sport with established alternative revenue streams, does not currently receive UK Sport funding.

The Government has published a consultation on introducing new consumer protections on the resale of live events tickets. We are seeking responses on a range of proposals, including a price cap on resales and new requirements on resale platforms.

The consultation invites views about what the most suitable level would be for a price cap on ticket resales, ranging from the original price of a ticket to an uplift of up to 30% on that original price to cover admin costs. We will consider these views in determining the best route forward, once the consultation has concluded on 4th April.

This power is required so that in the case of any potential future changes to a football season and how it is calculated, the Secretary of State is able to quickly make corrective amendments to the definition.

This power is not about amending the industry’s definition of a season. The current definition of a football season within the Bill is accurate for the current situation. If the current situation were to change, the Secretary of State should have the ability to alter this definition to ensure the regime is still operational.

A club’s ultimate owner is defined as the owner who has the highest degree of influence or control over the activities of the club.

A club can have more than one ultimate owner if those owners - all have the same degree of influence or control.

The definition of “significant influence or control” by owners will be set out in Secretary of State guidance, which will be published in due course.

As has been reiterated throughout the Committee stage of the Football Governance Bill, it would not be appropriate to publish private correspondence with any stakeholders in the Library of the House.

As set out during the House of Lords Committee Stage debate on 18 December, UEFA raised no concerns about the backstop in its most recent meetings with DCMS and the Minister for Sport. The Department continues to engage with UEFA and other relevant stakeholders as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

The Shadow Football Regulator is a transition team within DCMS that is working to set up a new Independent Football Regulator. Staff are currently located across DCMS’ sites in Manchester and London.

As of 19th December 2024, the Shadow Regulator comprises 38 Full Time Equivalent staff, 36 of which are at grades below senior civil service (SCS) level - as is usual practice regarding the civil servants we are unable to comment further on these appointments due to the risk of identifying the individuals who have been appointed.

The remaining two appointments are at SCS level. Of these, one returned to DCMS following a secondment to the Sports Ground Safety Authority. The other was recruited from an independent regulator.

The Football Governance Bill is the culmination of almost five years of work. During this time, there has been extensive engagement with key stakeholders by the department (which included regular meetings with the Premier League, where policy such as parachute payments were discussed) and by the Minister for Sport, whilst she was in Opposition.

Ahead of the introduction of the Football Governance Bill, DCMS Ministers met with Brentford, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Everton and parachute payments were discussed. A significant number of meetings also took place with the Premier League executive, who represent their members and have advocated on behalf of clubs. Similar meetings were also held with the EFL and National League executives and clubs.

The Secretary of State and Minister for Sport invited all clubs to meet on 23rd October where the Bill was again discussed.