House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Machinery of Government
17 December 2025 · Prime Minister
Proposed by Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather are being transferred from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will coordinate government efforts to minimize impacts from severe space weather.
- The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will continue to handle energy sector mitigation responsibilities related to severe space weather.
Issue summary
The statement addresses a Machinery of Government change regarding Severe Space Weather policy responsibilities.
Action requested
The overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather are being moved from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, effective immediately. The new department will coordinate government efforts to minimise impacts from severe space weather while the original department retains energy sector mitigation responsibilities.
Key facts
- Overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather are moving from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- The UK Space Agency will join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026.
- The Met Office’s responsibilities remain unaffected by this change.