Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of energy cost rises on energy intensive businesses.

The government recognises that high electricity prices are a significant competitiveness challenge and are a barrier to investment and growth. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for more than 10,000 businesses from 2027, helping align UK prices more closely with European competitors. The British Industry Supercharger now provides around £65-87/MWh of support to approximately 550 of the most electricity-intensive businesses, including steel, chemicals and glass, following the increase in network charge relief from 60% to 90%. The conflict in the Middle East is yet another reminder that the only route to energy security and sovereignty for the UK is by getting off the rollercoaster of volatile fossil fuels and onto clean homegrown power which we control, to bring down bills for good.