Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

The Government has put in place a new Board of Directors who will be tasked with developing a plan to transform British Steel into a commercially and environmentally sustainable steelmaking enterprise. Ministers will consider these proposals in due course, including possible partnerships with the private sector. Delivering the best outcomes for taxpayers will remain a key priority for the Government.

While the Department does not hold the specific information requested, it maintains regular engagement with businesses and representative organisations and monitors a range of economic indicators to inform policy and support economic growth. Being bolder in our relationship with the EU is an important part of the Government's agenda, to deliver good growth in every postcode of our country.

While the Department does not hold the specific information requested, it maintains regular engagement with businesses and representative organisations and monitors a range of economic indicators to inform policy and support economic growth. Being bolder in our relationship with the EU is an important part of the Government's agenda, to deliver good growth in every postcode of our country.

While the Department does not hold the specific information requested, it maintains regular engagement with businesses and representative organisations and monitors a range of economic indicators to inform policy and support economic growth. Being bolder in our relationship with the EU is an important part of the Government's agenda, to deliver good growth in every postcode of our country.

My department publishes details of the Music Export Grant Scheme (MEGS) on the government’s ‘Find a Grant’ site, Home - Find a grant and we work with UK music partners to promote the scheme to music businesses across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

In MEGS funding round 25, which ran from May to August 2026 and the current funding round 26, for which applications closed on 7 September 2026, we received just one application from a Northern Ireland-based applicant out of 143 applications from both funding rounds. The next MEGS funding round 27 is scheduled to open in February 2027.

The creative industries are an important part of the UK economy and the Creative Industries Sector Plan positions the sector as a central pillar of the Government’s Industrial Strategy and Growth Mission.

Through delivery of the Sector Plan and our Trade Strategy, we are engaging with industry on barriers to trade and working to expand market access through digital trade agreements, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, sector-specific partnerships and free trade agreements.

The DCMS report, The Economic Benefits of Touring and Impact of EU Exit, published on 27 August 2026, provides further evidence on barriers affecting UK creative exports.

The Government will launch a safe and considerate use campaign ahead of this fireworks season to promote responsible use and raise awareness of existing legal requirements. This builds on activity undertaken last year, strengthening public understanding of the rules around use of fireworks.

I have also launched a public consultation on proposals to reform fireworks and pyrotechnics legislation. The consultation sets out the existing regulatory framework, reinforcing current legal requirements, while gathering evidence on how best to reduce harm and distress from consumer fireworks. The consultation is supported by engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK.

The Government recognises the important contribution that pubs and the wider night-time economy make to local economies, high streets and communities. The Government has recently worked with businesses, local authorities, the police and representative bodies on a programme of licensing reform, including the introduction of the first National Licensing Policy Framework, which encourages licensing authorities to better support growth when making licensing decisions.

The Government continues to engage with businesses, representative bodies and local authorities to support thriving high streets and communities, including through the development of the forthcoming High Streets Strategy. This sits alongside the Pride in Place programme, which is helping communities protect and strengthen valued local assets such as pubs.

The Government has also launched a £10 million Hospitality Grant Scheme to support projects that strengthen local economies, support high streets and help revive the evening and night-time economy, with more than £3 million awarded to Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify and continue serving as important community assets.

The Government recognises the important contribution that pubs and the wider night-time economy make to local economies, high streets and communities. The Government has recently worked with businesses, local authorities, the police and representative bodies on a programme of licensing reform, including the introduction of the first National Licensing Policy Framework, which encourages licensing authorities to better support growth when making licensing decisions.

The Government continues to engage with businesses, representative bodies and local authorities to support thriving high streets and communities, including through the development of the forthcoming High Streets Strategy. This sits alongside the Pride in Place programme, which is helping communities protect and strengthen valued local assets such as pubs.

The Government has also launched a £10 million Hospitality Grant Scheme to support projects that strengthen local economies, support high streets and help revive the evening and night-time economy, with more than £3 million awarded to Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify and continue serving as important community assets.

The Chancellor reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor in his growth speech on 7 September, highlighting it alongside the Northern Corridor as one of the UK’s key economic priorities and a central part of the Government’s good growth agenda. Ministerial oversight of the Growth Corridor is provided through the responsible Ministers and departments across Government, with Lord Vallance recently appointed to a new Chair role to provide strategic leadership to the Government’s work in the region, reporting to the Prime Minister.

Details of Ministers' and certain Senior Officials' meetings with external organisations and individuals are published by departments quarterly in arrears on their departmental pages on GOV.UK. The most recent data - for the period January 2026 to March 2026 - was published on 25 June. Special Advisers are required to comply with the Special Adviser Code of Conduct at all times and are required to make declarations on meetings with senior media figures in line with published transparency guidance.

The UK is committed to a context-based regulatory approach where most AI systems are regulated at the point of use by our existing regulators. Government departments are working with regulators to provide strategic direction and support them with their AI capability needs. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which deepens our understanding of the critical security risks posed by frontier AI.

The Government keeps the adequacy of existing arrangements under review, including in relation to specific new risks related to cybersecurity and critical national infrastructure.

Emerging technologies, including AI and self-driving vehicles, will change some jobs but also create new opportunities, boost productivity and improve working lives.

Self-driving vehicle deployment will be gradual and subject to robust regulation. Automated Passenger Services pilot permits require the consent of the relevant local licensing authority or franchising body and the Government will build the evidence base through small-scale deployments, while supporting innovation and economic growth.

The Government will continue to engage closely with industry and the workforce to manage the potential risks and maximise the opportunities created by new technologies.

The Government is ensuring that the UK is ready for both the challenges and opportunities that AI will bring. We have taken important steps to ensure that most AI systems are already regulated at the point of use by our existing expert regulators. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which deepens our understanding of the critical security risks posed by frontier AI.

The Government keeps the adequacy of existing arrangements under review, including in relation to specific new risks related to cybersecurity and critical national infrastructure.

BIST engages regularly with DEFRA and the Environment Agency to ensure data infrastructure does not compromise public water supply resilience. The Government supports efficient cooling technologies, including closed-loop systems and alternative sources such as rainwater harvesting.

AI Growth Zone applicants must provide water plans and confirmation of feasibility from the relevant water supplier. Data centre developers progressing through the NSIP regime must assess impacts on water resources through Environmental Impact Assessments, while national planning policy embeds sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision-making.

The department has no plans to restrict the sale of smart glasses to individuals with a documented accessibility need. Emerging technologies such as AI supported wearables can be powerful Assistive technologies when put into the hands of disabled people. The Government will continue to monitor developments in this market and keep the relevant regulatory framework under review.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 September 2026 in response to Question 23800.

The Modern Industrial Strategy, published June 2025, focuses on driving sustainable, long-term economic growth by boosting business investment and increasing national productivity. Its Global Talent ambition is to attract and retain exceptional international talent to drive investment, innovation, productivity, research excellence and regional growth. My Department routinely reviews the approaches of other countries, including the use of state-backed investment visas, to attract such global talent.

The Regulating for Growth Bill is set to be introduced in the current parliamentary session, when parliamentary time allows.

The Government has set Post Office Ltd a clear direction to maintain a network of at least 11,500 branches and to continue meeting its access criteria, ensuring that people across the UK can access Post Office services locally. Decisions relating to individual Post Office branches are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. In relation to Downend Post Office, the branch operated by Morrisons closed on 15 August 2026. Post Office Ltd has advertised the opportunity and has received expressions of interest from potential operators.

The Government provides financial and advisory support to manufacturers operating in or relocating to the West Midlands through central government programmes and regional bodies. The West Midlands Investment Zone primarily offers tax incentives to businesses locating within designated sites, rather than direct relocation funding.

The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) can assist businesses in identifying appropriate land and premises, including Investment Zone sites where relevant. Businesses are encouraged to contact WMGC as a first point of contact for tailored inward investment support.

The Government is supporting employment opportunities in Yeovil and across Somerset through its Industrial Strategy and investment in the region’s growth-driving sectors.

In Yeovil, Leonardo UK has been selected for a £1 billion contract to provide 23 new battlefield helicopters. The agreement supports 3,300 jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility and sets up Yeovil as the company’s future centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters. Yeovil College has also been selected as a Defence Technical Excellence College.

Across Somerset, the Government is providing Agratas with a grant of up to £380 million, securing approximately £5 billion of private investment in its battery gigafactory near Bridgwater. The facility is expected to support around 4,200 jobs once fully operational. It is also supporting University College Somerset’s work with Agratas, to deliver training so people across Somerset have the practical, hands-on skills they need to seize the opportunities created by this investment. Somerset hosts two Technical Excellence Colleges: University Centre Somerset College Group, appointed as a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College, and Weston College (in North Somerset) appointed as an Advanced Manufacturing College. Together with Yeovil College, they are among 29 new Technical Excellence Colleges delivering high-quality training in key sectors, backed by £295 million of government investment over the course of this Parliament. This is in addition to wider skills and employment support, including the government’s £2.5bn youth employment package, which will help over 1 million young people by 2029.

The Government remains committed to providing full and fair redress to those affected by the Horizon scandal.

In Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry report, Sir Wyn Williams noted that he could not be convinced 'that the Fixed Sum Offer should, in effect, become a guaranteed minimum payment'. The Department agrees with Sir Wyn and believes it is important to retain the distinction between interim payments and a final settlement. A settlement is the final, total compensation amount agreed upon to resolve a claim, whereas an interim payment is an early, partial payment made before the claim process fully concludes.

The interim payment policy is designed to provide claimants with breathing space, and a meaningful opportunity to consider whether a full assessment would be beneficial to them.

We are unable to answer this question as it is not clear what specific initiative "Phase 1a Go Live" is referring to. My department has written to your office requesting further clarification, which we have not yet received a response to, however would be happy to provide more detail once we are informed accordingly.

The Government is committed to supporting UK businesses to grow and scale-up in the UK. The Intellectual Property Office provides support to help businesses identify, protect, manage and commercialise their intellectual property. UK Research and Innovation has committed to refresh its grant terms and conditions relating to intellectual property, with the aim of strengthening UK economic value from public investment in research and innovation and anchoring more IP exploitation in the UK. More broadly, the Government’s Small Business Plan is helping firms start, scale and succeed through targeted support and improved access to advice.

The Government recognises the UK aerospace sector’s long-standing distribution in major regional clusters, with its workforce, innovation and manufacturing activities concentrated in regions such as the South West, West Midlands, North West, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Based on 2024 data, around 88% of the UK aerospace workforce is located outside London and the South East. The aerospace support package announced on 22 July 2026 is expected to predominately support investment, innovation and high-skilled jobs in these UK clusters.

The Government has not made an estimate of how much funding was provided for projects involving human-specific research methods in each year between 2020 and 2025, and does not hold a breakdown by funding body. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests in a range of research that supports human-specific approaches, including organ-on-a-chip technologies, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These activities are generally categorised within broader research programmes, and funding for human-specific research methods is not separately identified across Government.

The Government has not made an estimate of the level of funding provided for (a) animal-based research and (b) research using human-specific methods in the latest year for which figures are available. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests in a wide range of research, including animal research and research that supports human-specific approaches such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These activities are generally categorised within broader research programmes, and funding is not separately identified on this basis across Government.

The measure aims to strike the right balance for UK industry, protecting domestic production while maintaining a secure supply. We need more UK steel in our defence industries - relying on imports at a time of global uncertainty puts the resilience and security of supply chains at risk. We have engaged extensively with industry, including the defence sector, to inform the design of the measure and have sized our quotas appropriately.

The Government continues to engage with producers and downstream users to understand the impact of the measure and will carry out a full review after 12 months.

The Department has integrated its support for businesses in a single, accessible place – the Business Growth Service – to help firms, including those in the MedTech sector, start, scale and succeed. From tailored market advice to free Business Academy training and our on-the-ground network around the world, we are making it easier for businesses to navigate global markets and seize opportunities.

UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, can also support businesses of all sizes across the UK. In January, UKEF announced the SME Exporter Fund which will give SMEs the confidence they need to invest, grow and expand into global markets.

The Responsible Business Conduct review was an evidence-based appraisal of the UK’s current policy approach to responsible business conduct, its impact and options to strengthen it further, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.

The Government is considering the findings and will set out its position in due course.

UK Research and Innovation and the Science and Technology Facilities Council undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio. This considered factors including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to recreate if lost. Major international subscriptions are being fully protected, helping to maintain UK participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations. As part of the prioritisation process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, protect funding for grant funded postdoc researchers at 25/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected.

The Government is committed to maintaining a world-leading astronomy and space science programme. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), has recently completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific opportunities.

The outcome is a focused portfolio built around the world's most ambitious astronomy facilities such as the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (which will be headquartered in the UK at Jodrell Bank) and the European Southern Observatory, ensuring UK scientists remain at the forefront of international collaboration and major discoveries in astronomy. The portfolio also protects key research capability, including PhD studentships and fellowships and protects funding for grant-funded postdoctoral researchers in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics at 2025/26 levels. STFC will also continue to operate world-leading facilities that support space science such as RAL Space, the UK’s National Space Laboratory.

Alongside this, the UK Space Agency, which has been allocated a £2.8 billion budget over the Spending Review period, will support the scientific missions, technologies and capabilities that enable UK researchers and industry to participate in cutting-edge international space science. Together, these investments will ensure that the UK remains a leading global centre for astronomy and space science research and discovery.

The Government recognises the important contribution that pubs and small and independent breweries make to local economies and communities across the country, and remains committed to supporting a diverse and competitive beer and pub sector.

Over the last six months I have met with all interested stakeholders directly to consider the evidence received through the review of the beer market and I have discussed this evidence in detail with policy experts within my department.

However, The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) recently wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) requesting a market investigation into this area. Given the CMA's role as the UK's independent competition regulator, it is important that the CMA is given the opportunity to consider that request.

The Government recognises the important contribution that pubs and small and independent breweries make to local economies and communities across the country, and remains committed to supporting a diverse and competitive beer and pub sector.

Over the last six months I have met with all interested stakeholders directly to consider the evidence received through the review of the beer market and I have discussed this evidence in detail with policy experts within my department.

However, The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) recently wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) requesting a market investigation into this area. Given the CMA's role as the UK's independent competition regulator, it is important that the CMA is given the opportunity to consider that request.

In March 2026, the Government launched the next phase of the national quantum programme, announcing up to £2bn to accelerate quantum technology development and adoption.

Programme delivery depends on partners including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Innovate UK, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) and National Physical Laboratory (NPL), and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). They provide the expertise, infrastructure and capability needed to realise the UK’s quantum ambitions and deliver economic and societal benefits.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 30 June 2026 in response to Question 11617.

The steel trade measure applies only to product categories that can be made in the UK. In some instances, technical constraints mean that some product codes cover both UK-produced and non-UK-produced grades and sizes. In these cases, quotas have been sized accordingly.

We have engaged extensively with UK industry, including through a Call for Evidence in 2025 and extensive official and ministerial engagement across the steel supply chain. We are closely monitoring the implementation of the trade measure, continuing to engage with businesses and will review the full measure after 12 months.

The Government recognises the importance of high strength alloys and other specialist steel products to UK manufacturing. The steel trade measure is designed to protect the long-term viability of UK steelmaking and supply chain resilience, while ensuring continued access to essential imports.

The measure applies only to steel categories that can be made in the UK. In some instances, technical constraints mean that some product codes cover both UK-produced and non-UK-produced grades and sizes. In these cases, quotas have been sized accordingly. We continue to engage closely with businesses and will review the measure after 12 months.

The Government recognises that a strong domestic steel sector and a competitive manufacturing base depend on one another and our approach seeks to support both.

We are closely monitoring impacts across the supply chain, including on downstream manufacturers and trade flows, and we will continue to hear from businesses on the impact of the measure. We will review it after 12 months to ensure it remains effective and the balance is right for both producers and downstream users. Additionally, Explanatory Memoranda to the legislation that implemented the measure were published setting out the expected impacts on different sectors and businesses across the supply chain.

Regional growth is a core objective of the Industrial Strategy. This includes supporting significant strengths in the Industrial Strategy growth-driving sectors across the East Midlands. The Strategy has committed up to £20m investment each in both the East Midlands and Greater Lincolnshire combined authority areas from the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, is launching a new Technical Excellence College in Lincoln and Derby to address skills shortages including defence and construction, strengthening support for the East Midlands and Humber Freeports, and uplifting the Network Charging Compensation Scheme to support supply chains and foundational industries in the region.

Shared Parental Leave and Pay gives parents flexibility to choose a caring arrangement that works for them in their child’s first year of life.

Employers may decide to offer more than the statutory entitlement, for instance by enhancing the statutory rate of pay, and we encourage them to do so whenever possible.

However, we recognise that more can be done to support working parents and to support employers understanding and implementation of parental leave entitlements. Last year the government launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review, which is considering all current entitlements. Findings are expected in early 2027.

The Department handles personal information including declarations of political activity in accordance with GDPR best practice. For direct ministerial appointments, personal information including political activity is protected, in line with this guidance. For regulated public appointments, the Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out that any significant political activity declared by a successful candidate is published when an appointment is announced.

The government has been clear that Royal Mail’s quality of service has not been good enough.

The Government has discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the company and Ofcom, as the independent regulator, and they know there is more to do to improve stability and reliability for customers, but it is welcome that the most recently released quality of service figures, for Q1 26/27, show an improvement.

Ofcom has opened an investigation into Royal Mail’s quality of service performance for 2025-26 and Royal Mail has published a quality of service improvement plan alongside a £500 million investment into frontline resourcing.

The government will continue to press royal Mail for improvements in service quality.