Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will extend energy energy support for manufacturers to Northern Ireland.

Every business in the country has paid the price of Britain’s dependence on foreign fossil fuel markets. The government is closely monitoring the impact of energy prices on businesses following the instability in the Middle East. The Chancellor confirmed in May that any support would be targeted at those businesses most exposed.

We are taking immediate action on high electricity prices through the Business and Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. The Northern Ireland Executive will receive funding to deliver an equivalent programme to BICS, subject to business case development.

We are continuing to develop policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas for the non-domestic sector and intend to consult on options to reduce costs and make low-carbon heat the economically rational choice. Our intention is for any future support scheme to be available UK-wide, creating a common framework for incentivising electrification and decarbonisation.