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Energy: Espionage

Asked by Lee AndersonReform UKDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 16 January 2026UIN 104361

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how well prepared the UK energy sector is to combat espionage activity.

Answered by Michael Shanks

National Security is a key priority for the government. The Department takes the threat of espionage against the energy sector extremely seriously and works closely with industry, regulators and Government partners to ensure a strong and coordinated approach. This includes maintaining robust cyber, physical and personnel security measures to identify, prevent and respond to hostile activity.

Operators should regularly assess risks and test their preparedness, and the Government continues to work to strengthen resilience across the sector so that the UK energy sector maintains a high level of preparedness to counter espionage risks.

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