Andrew Bowie

At the recent Budget, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion the sector across Government. The detail of the role is being finalised, the Envoy will be expected to work collaboratively with Government departments, existing councils, trade bodies and businesses.

Retail and Hospitality policy in Scotland is still devolved and any matters relating specifically to Scottish Retail or Hospitality policy should be directed to the Scottish Government.

DBT leads a whole of Government effort, working with devolved governments and the sector to support this important industry, which exported £5.6bn of Scotch Whisky worldwide in 2023. We boost exports by leveraging trade agreements and removing barriers. For example, in August we announced the recognition of the Scotch Whisky Geographic Indicator in Brazil, valued at £25m over five years. We will continue to spotlight Scotch Whisky at global trade shows in key markets, including a spirits trade mission to India in November. The Export Academy food and drink programme, launched in October, offers dedicated upskilling to both emerging and experienced distilleries.

According to research published by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scotch Whisky industry contributed £7.1 billion to the UK economy in 2022, supporting 66,000 jobs across the UK. Scotch Whisky is also the UK’s leading food and drink export, with exports valued at £5.6 billion in 2023. My department continues to support this economically vital industry by opening new markets, tackling trade barriers and challenging unfair trade practices around the world to maximise international opportunities.

My department continues to work with Scottish Government and Scottish Development International to boost exports across Scotland. We specifically work with Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, North east and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support export growth from the north east.

This Government recognises that the north east is well placed to play a key role in sectors including energy and food and drink. DBT Scotland has dedicated specialists covering these areas in addition to technology, finance and professional business services, and life sciences to take advantage of the DBT offer and increase exports from the north east of Scotland. In addition, the UK Wide Export Champions programme is uniquely operated in Scotland as a mutually appointed partnership with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work.

The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work.

The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work.

The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work.

The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

Signing the fair work charter will be a condition of Clean Industry Bonus eligibility at the point of application. Enforcement during the delivery phase will be set out in the Charter’s governance chapter, which will be published later this month. It will set out the dispute resolution process agreed by industry and trade union representatives.

The skills investment fund will allow for a collaborative approach to skills development in offshore wind, enabling interventions that target industry-level challenges. The Government will work with the offshore wind industry and Devolved Governments in 2026 to implement the fund in 2027.

The Department is delivering a suite of measures to deliver a fair and prosperous transition for the oil and gas workforce. This includes up to £20 million from the UK and Scottish Governments to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, which funds retraining to support their transition, as well as a new North Sea Jobs Service to provide end-to-end transition support.

The Secretary of State signed a clean energy security agreement, the Hamburg Declaration, with European energy ministers at the North Sea Summit to progress build out of renewable energy in the North Sea and incentivise further investment.

Scotland is at the very heart of our Clean Energy Superpower mission. And in preparation for the North Sea Summit, the Department has engaged with UK industry, including Scottish companies, who have also attended the Summit. Officials regularly engage with and involve the Scottish Government in all relevant work related to the Hamburg Declaration and associated documents.

The Government and Ofgem are developing a future approach to interconnection including offshore hybrid assets, and expect to publish further details in the spring. This will include consideration of delivery and finance models.

The Hamburg Declaration sets a collective ambition of 100 GW of offshore wind cooperation projects by 2050. Future GB co-ordinated projects will be guided by domestic strategic energy planning conducted by our National Energy System Operator (NESO), which is due to be consulted on in Q1 2027.

The Department works closely with the energy industry, NESO, regulators and National Technical Authorities to strengthen the physical and cyber resilience of offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

Recognising the risks to subsea and offshore assets, including vulnerabilities from accidental, negligent or intentional disruption, the Department is focused on proportionate measures to reduce opportunities for interference; with physical protection a key area of emphasis, reinforced by strengthened monitoring, detection and restoration arrangements.

Government has set robust regulatory standards for cyber security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, with the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill set to enhance and modernise these protections. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves towards Net Zero targets.

The Secretary of State signed a clean energy security agreement, the Hamburg Declaration, with European energy ministers at the North Sea Summit to progress build out of renewable energy in the North Sea and incentivise further investment. This includes an Action Plan, published on Gov.uk, which sets out concrete steps and timelines over the next months and years for both governments and industry to take in order to achieve the objectives agreed.

Working with our European neighbours and industry to develop joint offshore wind will enable us to maximise the clean energy potential for the North Sea, drive investment and job creation, and ensure energy security and resilience.

The Hamburg Declaration sets a collective ambition of 100 GW of offshore wind cooperation projects by 2050. This builds on the UK’s own ambitious Clean Power target where we aim to deploy 43-50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and accelerate to net zero.

Further delivery targets will flow from strategic planning work such as NESO's Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, due to be consulted on in Q1 2027.

Government is designing the Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Models to establish the UK’s first regional hydrogen network to be in operation from 2031. To enable delivery, government has confirmed over £500m of support for hydrogen infrastructure following the June 2025 Spending Review The location of this network will be carefully chosen to maximise the benefits to UK industrial sectors and create a pathway for hydrogen as a clean power source.

We recognise that offshore technologies have the potential to provide large-scale hydrogen storage and will continue to assess how different storage technologies may meet our strategic objectives.

In the Hamburg Declaration, the North Sea countries have committed to deepen collaboration on enhanced availability of skilled workers, knowledge and expertise transfer, and upskilling.

Although skills is devolved to the Scottish Government, the UK Government is investing in programmes to support those workers transitioning from oil and gas into renewables.

As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, up to £20m in joint UK and Scottish Government funding is being provided to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, supporting North Sea workers to retrain into renewable roles. This builds on the successful pilot launched in July 2025 in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

The Government is also supporting the expansion of the industry-led Energy Skills Passport and introducing a North Sea Jobs Service.

The Scottish consenting reforms taken forward by the Planning and Infrastructure Act will make the electricity infrastructure consenting system more efficient, more predictable, and look to reduce overall consenting timescales. The Government also aims to adopt reforms to environmental legislation for offshore wind in Spring 2026. Collectively these measures will enable the rapid deployment of clean power which is vital for our energy security. Ultimately planning decisions in Scotland are the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

The Secretary of State will be making a decision as to whether or not to agree to the grant of consent in due course.

The Secretary of State will be making a decision as to whether or not to agree to the grant of consent in due course.

We cannot comment on individual investment cases, but maintaining a secure energy supply is a key priority for the UK Government. Investment into the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny, and we will continue to work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and ensure the UK remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.

The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.

Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.

The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.

The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.

Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.

The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.

The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.

Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.

The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.

The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.

Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.

The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.

The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.

Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.

The Official Receiver (OR) decided to cease refining operations at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery on 21 July 2025. However, the sales process continued to be run in parallel, and the OR has received a range of proposals - from specific asset acquisition to acquisition of the entire Immingham site to purchasing the refinery as a going concern. The OR has progressed a small number of parties to the next phase of the sales process. This is based on an assessment of their proposals with regard to providing the best outcome for the Company’s creditors in line with the liquidator’s statutory duties. The OR aims to conclude negotiations with interested parties by mid-October.

The Government is providing the OR with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the site. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the OR. Parliament will be kept informed of the associated costs through the usual budgetary and reporting mechanisms.

Ministers have held several meetings with the OR since the insolvency was announced. Insolvency legislation clearly determines the actions that are undertaken by the liquidator, which is the OR. The OR must act independent of Government, in accordance with statute, and they are accountable to the court. As an independent office holder, the OR cannot be directed by Government.

The Government continually monitors fuel supplies across the country and has robust, tried and tested plans in place to ensure these supplies are maintained at all times. We continue to work closely with industry to monitor the situation.

The prices of fuel are influenced by (i) fluctuations in crude oil prices and (ii) refining margins, both of which are affected by global market conditions. We do not expect the closure of Prax Lindsey oil refinery to impact prices.

DESNZ is unable to comment on the specifics of any individual project or the investment decisions of individual operators while the regulatory process is underway. This is a matter for the North Sea Transition Authority.

DESNZ is unable to comment on the specifics of any individual project or the investment decisions of individual operators while the regulatory process is underway. This is a matter for the North Sea Transition Authority.

Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the Department is working to ensure these systems are developed in a way that is secure by design, protecting energy supply, infrastructure and consumers, as well as national security. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which set out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.

The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies, Ofgem 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.

Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system continues to be 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.

Maintaining security of energy supplies is a key priority and critical energy operators are required to meet a minimum standard of cyber security and resilience, through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018. Distributed and smaller-scale generation are key components of a smart and resilient energy system.

As an open economy the UK welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth, meets our regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority of this Government.

As well as the Electricity Act 1989, we have a range of effective measures in place which give the Government powers to balance an open investment environment to facilitate growth with protecting the parts of our economy that are the most sensitive to national security.

The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority for this Government, including manging risks from supply chains. DESNZ will continue to work closely with cross-government counterparts alongside industry to explore what further proportionate action can be taken to reduce the risks to energy infrastructure.

Ofgem and DESNZ have robust market monitoring schemes to assess electricity generation licence applications. Ofgem’s principal objective is to protect the interests of existing and future consumers, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and security of supply.