Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to reduce industrial energy bills.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Our modern Industrial Strategy will make British industrial electricity costs cheaper. From 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour (MWh) for over 10,000 manufacturing businesses in Industrial Strategy growth sectors and their foundational supply chains. The Government has also announced an additional payment for eligible businesses in 2027 to cover the 2026/27 period.

In addition to this, the British Industry Supercharger reduces electricity costs for eligible energy-intensive businesses by c.£65 – £87/MWh by exempting them from certain policy costs and offering 90% compensation for network charges through the Network Charging Compensation scheme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to tackle changes in the level of energy costs for businesses since July 2024; and what comparative assessment he has made of these steps compared to those taken before July 2024.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In June 2025, the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy proposed increased support for British Industry Supercharger recipients by uplifting the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% from 1 April 2026. This uplift reduced the gap between electricity prices in Great Britain and other countries by a further £8–10/MWh for around 550 energy intensive businesses.

For manufacturing companies ineligible for the Supercharger, the Modern Industrial Strategy also announced the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). BICS is expected to support over 10,000 businesses, saving them up to £40/MWh from April 2027, with an additional payment in 2027 to cover the 2026/27 period.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding her Department is providing to help improve participation in grassroots sport.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

We provide the majority of support for grassroots sport through our arm’s length body, Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million of National Lottery and Exchequer funding to help people get active.

In addition, on 27 January, the Government announced that £85 million of the £400 million package for grassroots sport facilities will be invested in during 2026/27, funding the continuation of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. This funding is designed to increase participation opportunities and benefit the areas most in need, with 50% investment going to the 30% most deprived areas in the UK.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help businesses to increase exports, improve productivity, and create more skilled jobs.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is putting exports at the heart of our growth mission to boost productivity and create skilled jobs across the UK. Through our Trade Strategy, we are removing barriers that hold UK businesses back from selling to the world by negotiating trade deals, tackling regulatory obstacles, and expanding export finance support.

For the first time, DBT has integrated its support in a single, accessible place - the Business Growth Service - helping firms build the capabilities needed to compete internationally. This includes tailored market advice, free Business Academy training, access to UK Export Finance and our on-the-ground network around the world.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Government funding of clean energy sources on businesses and local communities.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan is our plan to secure growth, to back Clean Energy Industries and unlock billions more in private investment.

The Chancellor announced £61.9bn in capital funding for DESNZ during the Spending Review, underlining both her and the Prime Minister’s commitment to the Clean Energy Mission and net zero.

UK energy transition investment reached a record £65bn in 2025, a 32% increase in final investment decisions versus 2024. This investment is vital for achieving greater energy security and delivering economic growth across the UK, benefitting businesses and local communities.

Found: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour; Slough) (Chair) Mr Calvin Bailey (Labour; Leyton and Wanstead) Alex Baker

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Chair); Mr Calvin Bailey; Alex Baker;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Chair); Mr Calvin Bailey; Alex Baker;