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.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 1 is 31/12/2028. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Beauly to Denny including the substation works is 31/12/2031. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic networks planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Sea Link is 31/12/2031. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Ofgem estimates that transmission owners will invest up to around £70 billion in Great Britain's electricity transmission network between 2025-26 and 2030-31. The majority of this spend remains subject to further in-period approval.

As well as supporting delivery of Clean Power 2030, this will accommodate growing electricity demand and reduce network constraints resulting from generation build having historically outpaced network build. Some expenditure also reflects essential asset replacement and maintenance.

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates for individual projects are developed and maintained by the relevant transmission owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem. Transmission owners are only permitted to recover costs that Ofgem determines are efficiently incurred.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 2 is 31/12/2030. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Norwich to Tilbury is 31/12/2031. Government is taking actions to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Government recognises that landfill gas generation can help to reduce methane emissions, and that the commercial viability of these generators could be affected by the expiry of RO support.

The sector is highly heterogeneous, with sites varying widely in both their cost profiles and the level of methane abatement they deliver.

Generators at larger landfills contribute a larger proportion of methane abatement in the sector, but may be less dependent on subsidy given their greater gas resource and economies of scale.

No decisions on scheme eligibility or levels of support have been taken. DESNZ intend to consult on proposals shortly, and any final decisions will be subject to robust value for money considerations.

Biomethane grid injection would not be suitable for most landfill sites due to the infrastructure required to treat the gas to make it suitable for injection or use as fuel, and to cover the distance from many sites to the gas grid. Most sites are too small to justify the capital investment needed to install this new infrastructure, as gas flows would decline before return on investment. In contrast, the electricity generation infrastructure already exists across these landfill sites.

Although no final decisions have been made, we intend to consult on proposals for transitional support for landfill gas generation shortly, and would welcome responses from those in the biomethane sector.

Great British Energy – Nuclear's (GBE N's) study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear indicates that it has land areas with high potential for future new nuclear development of all scales - microreactors, Small Modular Reactors, Advanced Modular Reactors, and gigawatt-scale reactors.

While the Scottish Government currently opposes new nuclear power stations, UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

GBE N's study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear indicates that it has land areas with high potential for future development.

New nuclear projects can deliver billions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-quality jobs to a region. While the Scottish Government currently opposes new nuclear power stations, UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

GBE N's study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear identified potential land areas rather than specific sites, and does not make an assessment of potential generating capacity.

However, the report indicates that Scotland has land areas with high potential for future development and UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

Ministers commissioned GBE N's study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear last autumn.

The study indicates that Scotland has land areas with high potential for future development.

We remain open to discussions with the Scottish Government regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

The GB gas system has a strong track record of reliability, consistently meeting demand, including during periods of global uncertainty. We work closely with Ofgem, NESO and National Gas to monitor security of supply; and are confident that National Gas, as system operator, has the tools to balance supply and demand effectively. The government is analysing responses to its consultation on Britain’s long-term gas security of supply and will publish its response in due course.

The department welcomes engagement on such an important issue and is making an assessment of all the evidence submitted. A response will be published in due course.

When a developer applies for consent for a new development, the Planning Guidance is clear that they must do a thorough assessment of all likely impacts.

This will include talking to relevant bodies about specific issues. Relevant bodies may include Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland for military heritage issues.

When a developer applies for consent for a new development, the Planning Guidance is clear that they must do a thorough assessment of all likely impacts.

This will include talking to relevant bodies about specific issues. Relevant bodies may include Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland for military heritage issues.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston.

There is still more to do before Government can share the outcome of GBE-N’s assessment, but we remain open to discussions with the Scottish Government on deploying new nuclear technologies in Scotland.

The most recent North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) report was published in October 2025 and is available on the NSTA’s website.

The Department provides funding to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to support collaboration and increased alignment with international regulators, through engagement in international fora and directly with regulators in other countries. This activity is funded through a programme to maintain the ONR’s capability and capacity to regulate Advanced Nuclear Technologies. The Department also provides funding to the ONR for their work under the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy to explore streamlining regulation and accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors across UK and US markets.

The Government recognises the essential role that local government, including combined authorities and local councils, play in accelerating to net zero. Support for local government includes funding to deliver net zero through their core settlement, grant funding schemes and strengthened collaboration such as through the Local Net Zero Delivery Group.

Over the period 2025-2028 more than £190 million in public sector decarbonisation funding is being invested in local authorities through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Over the same period £67.6 million is being invested on decarbonisation of public buildings through the Integrated Settlements with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities.

The Government's assessment of carbon emission savings associated with various policies is set out in its Carbon Budget Growth and Delivery Plan, most recently published in October 2025.

The policies specifically associated with heat networks are estimated to save 3.02 MtCO2e per annum on average over Carbon Budget 6, which is the 5-year period from 2033 to 2037.

Heat networks will also be expected to contribute to emissions savings from other policies aimed at decarbonising heat and buildings.

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) provided grant funding to public sector organisations in England, and to bodies with reserved functions operating in the devolved administrations, to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures in public sector buildings. The scheme is closed to new applications with no further phases planned.

We encourage public sector bodies operating in the devolved administrations to check the respective devolved government websites for information on the support available to them.

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.