Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on business rate relief for firms that install external wall insulation on industrial units to reduce energy costs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to supporting businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their premises, helping to reduce their energy costs. The business rates system already provides certain reliefs and exemptions, including Improvement Relief which provides 12 months of relief for qualifying improvements to a property.

Additionally, a Call for Evidence on business rates and investment closed on 18 February. It asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, with questions on Improvement Relief.

The Government is carefully considering representations it has received, and a response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Business 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 - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the Department for Business 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 - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business 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.

Question to the Department for Business 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 and Trade)

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.

Question to the Department for Business 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 - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the energy costs of heritage businesses and listed commercial buildings.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department recently engaged with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the proposals to improve the energy performance of buildings, including heritage and listed commercial properties.

The Government consulted on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates and proposes to bring all heritage buildings into scope of EPCs and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards barring other exemptions; as well as proposals to strengthen non-domestic Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards to EPC B – reducing energy costs for businesses.

The Government recognises the challenges of improving heritage properties. That is why Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards include safeguards such as cost-effectiveness requirements and exemptions where third-party consent is not provided, ensuring a proportionate approach.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent changes to energy costs on the level of profit reinvestment by social enterprises into local communities.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are closely monitoring the impact of energy prices on businesses, communities, and social enterprises caused by the instability in the middle east, and much will depend on the length of the ongoing crisis. We are increasing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant for properties heated by oil and LPG, taking the total grant to £9,000. This will help SMEs and social enterprises in England and Wales most impacted by rising energy prices to electrify their heating and provide greater certainty over energy bills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has not identified evidence that Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have reduced the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.

The department’s Impact Assessment has shown that costs for building improvements would be expected to make up a small proportion of typical commercial rents and are therefore unlikely to distort rental pricing on their own. The cost effectiveness test within the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations means that an energy efficiency improvement must be implemented only where it is estimated that the energy bill savings over 7 years are greater than the cost of installing the measure. This is designed to ensure all measures installed are good value for money.

Question to the Department for Business 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 - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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.

Question to the Department for Business 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 - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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.

Question to the Department for Business 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 - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of fluctuations in energy prices on the availability of professional indemnity insurance for energy consultants.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted a formal assessment on the impact of fluctuations in energy prices on the availability of professional indemnity insurance for energy consultants.

Regulatory bodies like Ofgem monitor the broader energy supply chain for unfair practices and price volatility to bring stability to the market.

The government would always encourage business owners to shop around to find the most suitable insurance coverage, at the best price. Any business that is struggling to secure cover may wish to contact the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). BIBA can offer guidance on how to look across the market for the best deals and may be able to provide names of specialist brokers. BIBA can be contacted at: www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to publish key performance indicators on the impact of Government energy support on business productivity.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government currently does not have any plans to publish key performance indicators on the impact of current energy support schemes on business productivity. The Government has also not measured the impact of energy support schemes on the productivity of businesses who receive this support. However, we are closely monitoring the impact of energy prices on businesses and communities caused by the instability in the Middle East.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Business and Trade has made no formal assessment on the impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.

Ofgem is currently reviewing the Maximum Resale Price (MRP) rules, which protect tenants and consumers by ensuring landlords and site owners cannot profit from reselling gas and electricity. A key focus of this work involves modernising the framework to address EV charging, mixed-use buildings, and enforcement procedures.

As part of their 14th programme, the Law Commission will be carrying out a scoping exercise focusing on various issues including service charges.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of business energy costs on the utilisation rates of UK-EU trade preferences under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are closely monitoring the impact of rising energy prices, driven by global events. We have announced measures to help businesses most impacted by those rising energy prices to electrify their heating and provide greater certainty over energy bills as we transition away from fossil fuels.

We also monitor the utilisation rate for UK exporters. Data for 2026 is only available to February, showing the utilisation rate for UK exports to the EU was around 82%. This rate has remained consistent since the 2025 period. We therefore cannot make an accurate assessment of any changes since the outbreak of war.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made a comparative assessment of industrial energy subsidies (a) provided by the US under the Inflation Reduction Act and (b) available to UK firms.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a comparative assessment of industrial energy subsidies provided by the US under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Government remains committed to ensuring British businesses are internationally competitive. From 2027 the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs for over 10,000 eligible businesses, reducing costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour. The British Industry Supercharger currently supports around 550 of the most electricity-intensive businesses. From 1 April 2026 the relief from network charges was uplifted from 60% to 90% for existing recipients of the British Industry Supercharger.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to encourage the development of insurance products to protect small businesses against sudden energy price spikes.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government recognises that energy costs are a real concern for small businesses. Government supports a competitive insurance market and encourages firms to shop around for suitable cover. Businesses struggling to secure insurance can contact the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) for guidance and access to specialist brokers.

We are taking broader action to help firms manage energy cost volatility. This includes increasing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to £9,000 to help SMEs transition to lower-cost heating. In addition, strengthened Ofgem protections, regulation of third-party intermediaries, and expanded Energy Ombudsman access are improving transparency, redress, and resilience for business energy consumers.

Found: Hastings and Rye) Andrew Pakes (Labour; Peterborough) David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour; Hendon) Gareth Snell