UK’s energy department overrun with insects

LONDON — Four floors of the U.K.’s energy and climate change department were shut to staff Friday in a bid to battle an insect infestation.

A message to staff — seen by POLITICO’s London Playbook — confirms that unspecified “insects” were spotted this week on the second, third, fourth and fifth floors of 1 Victoria Street, home to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The site is also the workplace for some officials from the business and trade department.

In an "important update on the steps being taken to manage the situation," the department’s estates team says it received "a couple of reports from colleagues of insects on 4th floor" earlier this week.

But, despite a "deep clean," followed by a "specialist clean" and the placing of "monitoring devices, the battle inside 1 Victoria Street continues.

The note said "further sightings of insects have been reported in some areas on floors 2, 3, 4, and 5," meaning the floors will now be closed Friday "for thorough cleaning and treatment."

Meeting room bookings have been cancelled, and access to the offending floors is restricted.

The team promises "comprehensive treatment and deep cleaning to ensure a pest-free environment" as it tries to restore order by Monday — but warns that "any food left in open areas will be disposed of."

"We understand that this situation may cause some distress and inconvenience, but please rest assured that all necessary measures are being taken to address it promptly and effectively," the estates team promises.

Westminster is no stranger to pests: rats are a common sight in the Houses of Parliament, leading some MPs to bring cats onto the estate to combat the vermin.