To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) to what extent will the implementation and ongoing policy development of the new Energy Strategy be carried out by departmental officials, and external staff; and (ii) for the anticipated cost of utilising external staff for these roles.

Whilst my department is leading on the development of the Executive’s new Energy Strategy, responsibility for policy development rests with officials from all departments with an energy remit. We have brought these officials together through the Energy Strategy Government Stakeholders Group and the five working groups (consumers, energy efficiency, heat, power and transport).

We have ensured external input to the policy development process through a range of routes including the Call for Evidence, stakeholder groups, working groups, the Expert Panel and an ongoing research and analytical work programme. The current consultation also provides a further opportunity for external input to its development. However, decision making for energy policies remains the responsibility of departmental officials, not external representatives.

The role of external staff – for example through regulated companies or delivery bodies – in implementing future energy policies will depend on the priorities identified through the Energy Strategy and will be specific to each individual energy intervention. It is not possible to anticipate the role and associated costs of external staff at this stage in the strategy development process.