Ed Miliband outlined his priorities for the department in a message to staff following his appointment as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on 5 July 2024.

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,

Ed Miliband,
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero