Dear Colleagues,
Earlier today, I was delighted to accept the Prime Minister's
invitation to serve as the Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero.
I wanted to write to you personally to say what an honour and a
privilege it is to have been appointed to this position. I am
inspired to have the chance to lead the department and work with
you all.
The reason I'm so excited to have been appointed to this role is
because it speaks directly to the twin passions that continue to
motivate me. First, resolving the economic inequality that scars
the country, and second tackling the climate crisis that imperils
our world.
Our department will be at the heart of the new government's
agenda, leading one of the Prime Minister's 5 national missions,
to make Britain a clean energy superpower with zero carbon
electricity by 2030, and accelerating our journey to net zero.
Families and businesses across the country are still struggling
with energy bills that are too high and are expected to rise
again in the autumn. In an unstable world, the only way to
guarantee our energy security and cut bills permanently is to
speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards
homegrown clean energy.
The job of our department will be to deliver our mission so we
can make the UK energy independent, bring down energy bills for
good, create good jobs, and tackle the climate crisis.
We will get started right away, and my priorities are:
- delivering our mission to boost energy independence and
cutting bills through clean power by 2030
- taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy
- upgrading Britain's homes and cutting fuel poverty through
our Warm Homes Plan
- standing up for consumers by reforming our energy system
- creating good jobs in Britain's industrial heartlands,
including a just transition for the industries based in the North
Sea
- leading on international climate action, based on our
domestic achievements
In line with the Prime Minister's approach, this will be a
mission-driven department, mobilising citizens, businesses, trade
unions, civil society and local government in a national effort,
where everyone has a role.
Having been the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
from 2008 to 2010, arriving at the department feels like coming
home. Back then, I saw first-hand the brilliant work that civil
servants do and I know how hard you have worked on behalf of the
country in the years since.
The Civil Service is one of Britain's great institutions and I
look forward to working with you to change our country for the
better.
Yours sincerely,
,
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
