Oral QuestionDepartment for Energy Security and Net Zero

Whether he held discussions with the Scottish Government and local authorities prior to announcing potential nuclear energy sites in Scotland.

Tabled: 1 July 2026Answered: 7 July 2026

Asked by

Graham Leadbitter

Scottish National PartyMoray West, Nairn and Strathspey

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Georgia Gould)

As the Minister responsible for public service reform, I am clear that every single pound saved on unnecessary consultancy spend is a pound invested in the renewal of our public services and delivering our ambitious missions to change the country. We are taking tough action to cut down on wasteful consultancy spend. We are acting to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending this year and to halve Government spending on consultancy in future years, with a target saving of £550 million in 2024-25 and £680 million in 2025-26.