Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) candidates and (b) potential applicants for the role of Climate Change Committee Chair.

The Chair role is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the recruitment process is being conducted in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. The Code prescribes ministers as the appointing authority and says that they should be assisted in their decision-making by an Advisory Assessment Panel. Ministers have not met candidates or potential applicants for this role but, in line with the Code, they have been engaged in the planning process for the appointment and will be a given an opportunity to meet candidates at an appropriate point in the process.