Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

The UK is building a competitive launch sector that supports growth, reindustrialisation and national security. Testing infrastructure is also an important part of the launch ecosystem. The UK has facilities supporting rocket engine testing and their suitability for heavy lift vehicles depends on the operators’ technical or safety requirements. The Government continues to engage with industry on strengthening the UK’s launch ecosystem, including ways to develop infrastructure in the UK at new or existing sites such as RAF Spadeadam. Any proposal for public investment would be assessed against strategic priorities, deliverability and value for taxpayers.

The UK is building a competitive launch sector that supports growth, reindustrialisation and national security. Testing infrastructure is also an important part of the launch ecosystem. The UK has facilities supporting rocket engine testing and their suitability for heavy lift vehicles depends on the operators’ technical or safety requirements. The Government continues to engage with industry on strengthening the UK’s launch ecosystem, including ways to develop infrastructure in the UK at new or existing sites such as RAF Spadeadam. Any proposal for public investment would be assessed against strategic priorities, deliverability and value for taxpayers.

The Government remains committed to maintaining the UK’s leadership in radio astronomy.

Jodrell Bank will continue to host the international SKAO headquarters and world-leading scientific research led by the University of Manchester (UoM). The government is supporting this commitment through £327 million of investment in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) between 2021 and 2030. Furthermore, as part of its wider prioritisation approach, STFC has maintained grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers at 2025/26 levels, and protected PhD studentships and fellowships. The e-MERLIN network, including the Lovell Telescope, is owned and operated by UoM.

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme is expected to support investment in eligible sectors by cutting electricity costs by up to £35–£40 per Megawatt-hour, improving competitiveness and reducing the risk of plant closure and relocation. Higher investment is expected to raise productivity and economic growth through capital deepening and sector expansion.

BICS will also support economic resilience and supply chain security by reducing the vulnerability of strategically important foundational manufacturing sectors to relatively high electricity costs.

The BICS Impact Assessment estimates that across sectors eligible for BICS, there will be social benefits relating to investment of around £16bn over the 8-year period (2027/28 – 2034/35).

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme support has been developed and assessed in accordance with the requirements of the Subsidy Control Act 2022, which implements the UK's subsidy control commitments under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and gives effect to the UK's wider international obligations on subsidy control, including under the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

The Insolvency Service monitors the effectiveness of the regulatory framework through its oversight of the Recognised Professional Bodies (RPBs). This includes where there are concerns about an RPB’s conduct of investigations into complaints about insolvency practitioners.

The following complaints have been investigated by the Insolvency Service in the last three years:

In 2024 the previous Small Business Commissioner met with Amazon on their DD+7 policy. Amazon agreed to delay its implementation and improve communications with sellers. Last year the Small Business Commissioner published guidance to support small business trading on online marketplaces and maintains an ongoing dialogue with Amazon.

Controls on nuclear-related exports help ensure that civil nuclear trade can take place while preventing the proliferation of sensitive goods, technology and knowledge that could contribute to nuclear weapons programmes.

Export licences for civil nuclear goods and technology are applied for and processed through SPIRE. The Export Control Joint Unit assess every application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC), which have been laid before Parliament: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) is a well-established mechanism to help investors resolve disputes with states where they allege the state has failed to uphold its obligations under international investment law.

The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party. The UK has never faced a successful ISDS claim.

The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations. As the Government has been notified of a dispute, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Government recognises that securing the long-term future of the UK’s steel sector relies on both public and private investment for modernisation. Following acquisition of British Steel in July, we have now started to test private sector sentiment around potential investment to inform any Government decisions on the future of steelmaking at Scunthorpe. Government’s ambition is a sustainable steel company that can stand on its own two feet, which is the best way of delivering long term stability for those employed at British Steel. While no decisions on investment in British Steel have been taken, my department will keep the House updated as a timetable emerges.

Since British Steel came under public ownership in July, the Government has put in place a new Board, chaired by Alan Lovell. The new Board has been tasked with developing a plan for the long-term transformation and competitiveness of British Steel. Information regarding the transformation plan is expected to be published once it is agreed.

Ministers and the company are very cognisant of the need to provide as much transparency as possible in relation to future plans for the company, and we will work with the company to determine what information should be published at the appropriate time.

The Government recognises the vital contribution hospitality businesses make to jobs, high streets and the economy.

We keep pressures on the sector under review and are taking action to support resilience, jobs and investment. At Budget, the Chancellor announced the government is introducing a two-year real-terms freeze for all retail, hospitality and leisure properties to cap bill increases at inflation. The Government is also increasing the Small Business Rates Relief thresholds for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, taking a further 70,000 properties out of business rates altogether and meaning half of all RHL properties will pay no business rates.

We continue to engage closely with businesses and representative bodies, including through the Hospitality Sector Council, to understand the challenges facing the sector and opportunities for growth.

The Government recognises the important role that employee ownership and co-operative business models can play in supporting business succession and growth.

Our call for evidence on business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals sought to gather evidence, including on barriers affecting business conversion and mutualisation. The Government response to this Call for Evidence will be published shortly.

We will continue to consider all options which can help ensure the policy and regulatory environment can best support businesses seeking to transition to employee and worker ownership.

The Government Office for Science has established a new red teaming function to add an additional layer of challenge and assurance on national security and resilience priorities. To date it has completed a number of projects focused on UK resilience, including providing red teaming for the 2026 National Capabilities Assessment. This function can be deployed to support national security and resilience projects and decisions across government. The approach taken to each project is bespoke enabling the appropriate methods and techniques to be used to provide effective challenge and assurance on a wide range of issues and projects depending on requirements.

I have been frank in my conversations with Royal Mail’s leadership and with my statements to the House in recent debates that Royal Mail’s service has been unacceptable for too long, and that the pace of improvement must increase. I will continue to raise issues relating to service performance directly with Royal Mail, including the impact of delays on communities.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator, is responsible for setting, monitoring and enforcing Royal Mail’s service standards under the universal service obligation.

Ofcom is currently investigating Royal Mail’s service performance for 2025-26 and will take regulatory action where necessary to hold the company to account for improving service standards.

The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding the potential impact of regulatory compliance costs on market entry for small businesses. Ministers and officials regularly engage with the CMA on various topics, including the role of regulation in supporting growth.

The proposals in the employment status consultation seek to make it easier for people, including those in the gig economy, to access core employment rights.

The Government expects those driving or riding for work to keep both themselves and other road users safe. As such we have committed to piloting a new voluntary Work-Related Road Safety Charter that is being developed in partnership with industry. The Charter will be informed by existing schemes such as Driving for Better Business and encourage everyone involved in driving or riding for work to improve road safety. That includes consideration of delivery drivers on E-bikes.

Under existing UK product regulations, lithium-ion batteries and e-bike conversion kits must be safe before being placed on the market. Businesses are responsible for complying with all relevant regulatory requirements, including providing necessary information and warnings to enable safe use.

The Government sought views on whether targeted regulations may be appropriate for product types raised in the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, including lithium-ion batteries in our product safety framework consultation. We are carefully considering the responses and will publish our response in due course.

We have no current plans for additional regulation for hairdressers and barbers but remain open to evidence. The Hairdressers Registration Act 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and barbers, through voluntary registration. Businesses are subject to a range of existing requirements, including health and safety and consumer protection legislation. As the Minister responsible for this industry, my officials and I regularly engage the Hair and Barber Council to discuss these matters, including through the Personal Care Services roundtables which I chair.

The Department has not specifically considered regulations on kitchen knife design. However, all consumer products must be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Manufacturers, importers and businesses must ensure kitchen knives are safe and provide appropriate safety information and warnings. Trading Standards, Environmental Health in Northern Ireland and the Office for Product Safety and Standards can investigate unsafe products and require proportionate corrective action, including recalls. The Government has also consulted on modernising the product safety framework to strengthen consumer protection and tackle unsafe products sold online.

The Department has not specifically considered regulations on kitchen knife design. However, all consumer products must be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Manufacturers, importers and businesses must ensure kitchen knives are safe and provide appropriate safety information and warnings. Trading Standards, Environmental Health in Northern Ireland and the Office for Product Safety and Standards can investigate unsafe products and require proportionate corrective action, including recalls. The Government has also consulted on modernising the product safety framework to strengthen consumer protection and tackle unsafe products sold online.

The Government is helping consumers, including those in rural communities, to identify and report rogue traders through advice, awareness campaigns and effective local enforcement. My Department funds Citizens Advice, which provides consumer advice across England and Wales and runs an annual Scams Awareness campaign to help people recognise, avoid and report suspicious activity.

Responsibility for investigating reports of rogue traders primarily sits with Trading Standards, working alongside local police forces. Where criminality is identified, enforcement agencies can take action, including the use of closure powers against businesses engaged in unlawful activity.

UK listed companies are subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code which includes provisions for workforce representation on company boards by having either a worker on the board, a director responsible for engaging with the workforce or a formal workforce advisory panel. While the Department has not commissioned research in this area, the Financial Reporting Council’s annual review of reporting under the Code considers how boards have followed these provisions. The Government expects state-owned enterprises to follow the Code to the extent appropriate, and also expects directors of state-owned enterprises to comply with fiduciary duties followed by directors of private companies under the Companies Act 2006, including the need to have regard to employee and other stakeholder interests, and to the likely consequences of any decision in the long-term.

UK listed companies are subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code which includes provisions for workforce representation on company boards by having either a worker on the board, a director responsible for engaging with the workforce or a formal workforce advisory panel. While the Department has not commissioned research in this area, the Financial Reporting Council’s annual review of reporting under the Code considers how boards have followed these provisions. The Government expects state-owned enterprises to follow the Code to the extent appropriate, and also expects directors of state-owned enterprises to comply with fiduciary duties followed by directors of private companies under the Companies Act 2006, including the need to have regard to employee and other stakeholder interests, and to the likely consequences of any decision in the long-term.

The Government is committed to removing barriers to the growth of the co-operative and mutuals sector, and the Department is commissioning further research into financing challenges facing the sector.

The Department will shortly be publishing its response to the call for evidence on business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals, which will set out our position to improving access to finance and co-operative business support more generally.

The Government believes the current daylight-saving arrangements represent the optimal use of the available daylight across the UK. We have no plans to introduce single summertime, double summertime or other such changes. Since the Government does not intend to make changes to the existing system, we will not be conducting an assessment on the potential merits of ending the practice of Daylight Savings Time.

Government recognises that strong regional manufacturing networks are critical to growth and resilience, with 85% of direct Advanced Manufacturing jobs located outside London and the South East. As set out in our Modern Industrial Strategy and Sector Plans, we are supporting manufacturing clusters across the UK through Investment Zones, strengthening and transforming local supply chains, backing innovation and technology adoption among SMEs, and working with city regions to build connected industrial ecosystems. These measures will help ensure firms of all sizes can invest, grow and compete, supporting diverse and resilient regional manufacturing networks.

The Government recognises that the design of parental leave and pay can affect parents’ participation in the labour market. The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering how the current system supports economic growth through labour market participation, including its impact on the gender pay gap and motherhood penalty.

All existing parental leave and pay entitlements are within scope, including paternity leave and pay.

The Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings in which the Government will outline next steps for taking any potential reforms forward to implementation.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) expenditure is reported on a calendar year rather than financial year basis. There was no ODA expenditure by the former Department for Business and Trade in 2025. The former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology reported preliminary ODA expenditure of £199.0 million for 2025 in its 2025/26 Annual Report and Accounts. The final figure, including analysis of spend, was published by the FCDO in September 2026 here: Statistics on International Development.

Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) officials are aware of the competitiveness challenges that the glass industry faces, and that EU container and flat glass manufacturers currently receive indirect carbon cost compensation. While no specific assessment has been conducted on the impact of the Energy-Intensive Industries (EII) Compensation Scheme’s consultation publication timeline, the Government encourages the glass industry to engage with the EII Compensation Scheme review when the opportunity arises. BIST officials also regularly engage with the glass sector’s main trade association, British Glass, to explore potential further support for the sector.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade intends to consult on the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme, and all relevant stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the review when the opportunity arises. The Government continues to review the impact of high energy costs and regularly works with industry to consider potential further support beyond what is currently delivered, including the British Industry Supercharger.

Yes. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade draws on advice and guidance from the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Government Cyber Unit and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) when procuring AI products, models and services. This includes GDS guidance on the use and procurement of AI across government, including the AI Playbook for the UK Government, and NCSC guidance on the secure development and deployment of AI. The Department also works with these bodies to share information on risks and emerging threats, and buys through cross-government commercial frameworks to secure value for money.

The Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade aims to respond to correspondence within 15 working days, although in some instances responses can take longer. Following changes to ministerial portfolios, responsibility for the Post Office portfolio transferred to me. Regrettably, the Honourable Member's letter of 7 July was not progressed following its transfer to my correspondence team. A response was sent on 29th October 2026.

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the average processing time for assessing applications to the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. Processing time will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

Businesses that apply during the application window, which runs from 1 October to 30 November 2026, are expected to receive eligibility decisions in early 2027.

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the average processing time for assessing applications to the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. Processing time will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

Businesses that apply during the application window, which runs from 1 October to 30 November 2026, are expected to receive eligibility decisions in early 2027.

At the Budget on 28 October 2026, the Government announced the Data Centre Covenant. The Covenant sets out new tests all data centres are encouraged to meet, and which strategic data centres must meet to qualify for additional government action.

It sets out that data centres should pay their fair share of energy costs and support the electricity system; invest in the communities that host them; meet the highest environmental standards; create British jobs, apprenticeships and support reindustrialisation; and strengthen Britain’s security and resilience.

A Written MInisterial Statement on 28 October 2026 set out further details on our approach to sustainable data centre growth, including energy flexibility. Connections remain decided by network operators under the Ofgem and NESO framework, with reforms prioritising ready projects, with data centres not to be allocated capacity at the expense of other users.

My department currently has no plans to consult on introducing mandatory accessibility information standards for businesses. Businesses should treat all their customers fairly.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination in wider society. The Office for Equalities and Opportunities has published guidance on GOV.UK to help businesses in specific sectors to comply with their obligations under the Act.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.

The application window for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme remains open until 30 November 2026. As applications continue to be received and assessed, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual applications or provide detailed breakdowns of applicants at this stage.