To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance her Department issues on the use of WhatsApp.

All departments in central government, including arms lengths bodies apply the published guidance: Using non-corporate communication channels (e.g. WhatsApp, private email, SMS) for government business, which was published by Cabinet Office in March 2023. It applies to all individuals in central government (ministers, special advisers, officials, contractors, non-executive board members and independent experts advising ministers). The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero uses the central guidance and has applied it since March 2023.

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero provides additional advice to the central guidance in its internal non-corporate communications guidance.