17995 (2025). Benjamin Doyle to the Minister for Energy

17995 (2025). Benjamin Doyle to the Minister for Energy: On what date, if any, did the Minister and the Chief Executives of the agencies they are responsible for, if any, ensure that all staff involved in the development of government regulatory proposals are familiar with the contents of Cabinet Office Circular CO (24) 7 - Impact Analysis Requirements, if at all?

Hon Simon Watts: As Minister of Energy, I have no responsibility for any government departments or Ministries. In respect of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, I refer the Member to the Minister for Economic Growth’s answer to written parliamentary question 17987 (2025). With regard to Crown entities under the energy portfolio, I am advised that The Cabinet Office circular on impact analysis requirements and associated information was circulated to relevant EECA staff on 17 December 2024. For the EA the Cabinet Office Circular CO (24) 7 - Impact Analysis Requirements sets out the requirements for Ministers and agencies developing government regulatory proposals. The Electricity Authority is an independent Crown entity, responsible for making and administering the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010. Its staff are not involved in the development of government regulatory proposals, and this Cabinet Circular is therefore not applicable to the Authority. Instead, the Authority is under a separate statutory obligation under section 39 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 to develop and consult on 'regulatory statements' for most Code amendments. Each regulatory statement must include a statement of the objectives of the proposed amendment, an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the proposed amendment, and an evaluation of alternative means of achieving the objectives of the proposed amendment.