Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how many meetings have taken place within the department and appropriate predecessor departments to consider the responses to the consultation on retaining and expanding access to market for small and independent brewers since 22nd October 2025.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
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.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he plans to publish the outcome of the consultation on access to market for small and independent brewers before Christmas recess 2026.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
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.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the UK brick manufacturing sector to meet domestic demand bricks.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In 2025, the UK brick manufacturing sector produced 1,557 million bricks. This equated to around 82% of the UK brick market, with under 20% being met by imports. Brick imports increased by 11% on the previous year.
The Government is working with the sector to encourage domestic production by addressing electricity costs, through the British Industry Supercharger and through the Ceramics Industry Support Scheme which will also be open to the sector when it is formally launched.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on long-term reform of the electricity market to decouple gas and renewable prices for business users.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade continues to have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the transparency of energy pricing in the commercial sub-metering market.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
There have been no recent discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on the transparency of energy pricing in the commercial sub‑metering market. Decisions on whether to take action in specific markets are a matter for the CMA, as the UK’s independent competition authority. Responsibility for energy policy sits with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the British Business Bank on the provision of low-interest loans for industrial battery storage systems.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Business Secretary has regular discussions with the British Business Bank on a range of issues relating to access to finance for smaller businesses. No recent discussions have taken place specifically on the provision of low-interest loans for industrial battery storage systems.
The Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme facilitates the provision of loans to smaller businesses on a sector-neutral basis. In 2025, the Bank also launched a pilot of a Green Growth Guarantee Scheme to facilitate the flow of finance to businesses investing in green technologies.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of high energy costs on the R&D budgets of manufacturing firms.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This Government is committed to reducing energy costs for energy intensive businesses, including eligible manufacturers investing in R&D. From 2027 the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will reduce electricity costs for over 10,000 eligible manufacturing businesses, by up to £40 per megawatt hour.
The British Industry Supercharger is supporting the competitiveness of around 550 energy and trade-intensive firms across Great Britain. This results in a saving of between £65- £87 per megawatt hour.
Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan commits to £4.3bn of funding for Frontier Sectors over a five-year period including up to £2.8 billion for R&D funding alone.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy price differentials on the volume of UK services exports to CPTPP member nations.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Specific analysis on the impact of energy price differentials on services exports to CPTPP has not been produced.
The Government published an Impact Assessment in 2023 that estimated the potential impacts of UK accession to CPTPP, which found that the majority of services sectors are expected to see an increase in exports as a result of UK accession.
DBT is continually monitoring implementation of the agreement and will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its impacts.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to brief UK trade envoys on the energy-related strengths of the UK’s low-carbon goods and services sector.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Trade Envoys are briefed on each of the Industrial Strategy priority sectors, including the objectives of the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, and the UK's strengths in these supply chains. Prior to a market visit, Trade Envoys are briefed on the key objectives and sectors outlined in each Country Trade Plan.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has assessed the potential effectiveness of Energy as a Service business models in reducing upfront capital barriers for UK manufacturers.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department for Business and Trade has made no formal assessment on the potential effectiveness of Energy as a Service business model in reducing upfront capital barriers for UK manufacturers.
More broadly, the Government recognises that upfront costs can be a barrier to investment. Measures such as the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme and the British Industry Supercharger will reduce electricity costs for eligible businesses, helping to improve investment conditions and support long-term competitiveness.