Luke Evans

Innovation is central to delivering good growth in every part of the UK. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invested £596 million in the East Midlands in 2023/24, including £172 million in Leicestershire, Rutland & Northamptonshire.

Up to £20 million has been allocated to the East Midlands through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, supporting manufacturers to scale up clean energy and advanced production technologies.

Government is also backing Midlands Mindforge, the investment company dedicated to supporting university spin-outs in the Midlands, helping unlock an initial £30 million of capital.

The Government is committed to ensuring that consumers can shop online with confidence and that businesses using AI do so in compliance with consumer protection legislation. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions, and strengthens the CMA’s enforcement powers with the ability to impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover for businesses that are found to breach consumer law.

The CMA has also recently published guidance for businesses using agentic AI on complying with consumer law, making clear that businesses remain responsible for the outputs of AI systems they deploy.

The Government recognises the important contribution that hairdressing and beauty businesses make to the UK economy and local communities. We regularly engage with representatives from the sector through established forums, including the Personal Care Sector Roundtable, which I chair. These discussions provide an opportunity to hear directly from businesses and representative bodies on a range of issues affecting the sector, including workforce and employment matters.

Last year the Government revived the Pensions Commission to examine how to improve retirement outcomes for future generations, especially for those groups at the greatest risk of under-saving, including the self-employed. Its interim report, published on 19 May 2026, sets out the key challenges with the current system and priorities for its next phase of work. The Government looks forward to receiving the Commission's final report and recommendations in early 2027.

The Government recognises that a successful Rolls-Royce entry into the single aisle aircraft market could deliver significant UK economic benefits, including high value jobs and growth across the aerospace supply chain.

Rolls-Royce is a major UK employer and longstanding Government partner. We are discussing how any support could secure UK jobs, skills and long-term manufacturing, while delivering value for money for taxpayers. Building on the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, which has anchored world leading R&D in the UK and strengthened the domestic supply chain, any future support would be structured to maximise UK benefits.

My Department is monitoring the situation, and is in regular contact with stakeholders, including through our partnership with the Construction Leadership Council, which I co-chair

The Construction Leadership Council’s Material’s Supply Chain Group, in March 2026, noted the main disruption to the sector from the Middle East crisis is the rapid rise in energy prices and their immediate impact on material costs, particularly for products with energy-intensive manufacturing processes or derived from oil-based raw materials

Ministers are being kept updated on the supply chain disruption (and impacts) as part of our cross Whitehall monitoring.

The Government recognises that breweries, particularly small and independent producers, play an important role in the UK’s brewing heritage, supporting diversity, innovation and consumer choice within the pub sector.

The Government will respond to the outcomes of the Small Breweries Access to Market Review in due course and will set out next steps once this consideration is complete. I will meet representatives from across the sector in the next month to discuss the issue before reaching conclusions.

The Government recognises that breweries, particularly small and independent producers, play an important role in the UK’s brewing heritage, supporting diversity, innovation and consumer choice within the pub sector.

The Government will respond to the outcomes of the Small Breweries Access to Market Review in due course and will set out next steps once this consideration is complete. I will meet representatives from across the sector in the next month to discuss the issue before reaching conclusions.

The Department for Business and Trade worked with other government departments, regulators and industry to support information sharing on supply chain issues affecting the vehicle repair sector, as set out in the Report. This included engagement through the Motor Insurance Taskforce and associated cross‑government and industry forums with insurance and motor trade bodies, including the Association of British Insurers and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. These forums will continue to provide a mechanism for sharing information on supply chain‑related issues, including those affecting vehicle repairs, and for informing wider government consideration of automotive supply chain resilience.

The UK’s globally recognised motorsport cluster continues to play a vital role in driving engineering excellence and supporting investment across the automotive sector. DBT Ministers have engaged on issues affecting the UK motorsports sector, including a cross‑Whitehall F1 Ministerial Roundtable on 15 January 2024, where Ministers discussed industry priorities with F1 and government partners. The Department engages regularly with the Motorsports Industry Association (MIA) and motorsport manufacturers as part of our wider work to support the UK’s world leading high performance engineering sector. These discussions cover support for innovation, supply chain competitiveness and opportunities for growth through export support and technology‑focused trade missions.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role as the independent regulator for the postal sector.

It is for Ofcom to oversee Royal Mail’s delivery of the universal service obligation and decide how to respond should Royal Mail fail to meet its obligations. Ofcom takes compliance with its regulatory targets seriously and this involves conducting thorough investigations where failures have been identified.

In October, Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21 million for failing to meet its quality-of-service targets and has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and deliver a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

Government has been in negotiations with the bioethanol sector to understand what support could be delivered to ensure its long-term sustainable future.

The Department for Transport confirmed their intention to consult on amendments to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, including options for increased targets. DfT also confirmed plans to convene an expert working group to explore whether ethanol blending in petrol can be increased beyond the current E10 blend.

The UK has 5.5m SMEs and we are committed to hardwiring their voice into government policy, engaging with them in various ways including through roundtables, visits and events.

Hundreds of individual SMEs have been engaged across all sectors and regions as part of co-designing our SME Strategy, including through roundtables across key areas, such as High Streets, Markets and Finance as well as specific policy events such as at Wilton Park.

Engagement with individual SMEs will continue to be a priority pre and post-launch of the SME Strategy to assess the impact of these policies on SMEs across the UK.

Hairdressing salons and barbers, like other employers, are subject to normal business regulations such as health and safety requirements, employer and public liability insurance. The Hairdressers Registration Act of 1964 already provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and HMRC will investigate evidence suggesting businesses have misclassified individuals for tax purposes and Government collaborates closely with law enforcement to monitor criminal behaviour.

The Government has no current plans to introduce further regulation of the hair industry, but we will always remain open to considering.

The Hospitality Sector Council is designed as a collaboration between government and the sector. The Council has several working groups led by business which work through specific issues and recommend policy initiatives as appropriate.

Through this collaboration, we are addressing strategic issues related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity. This includes expanding the Hospitality Sector-Based Work Academy Program - addressing high vacancy rates by providing jobseekers with bespoke training, work placements, and guaranteed interviews so that they are job ready. The program when piloted was highly successful with 80% of those who completed the course securing employment in the hospitality sector.

The Energy Minister has been in contact with the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and continues to work with them and other suppliers to ensure vulnerable households are treated fairly, including in relation to delivery sizes. DESNZ has held regular discussions with UKIFDA to emphasise that members should follow the industry Code of Practice to provide their customers with flexibility on delivery size.

On Monday 16 March the Government announced the intention to regulate the heating oil sector to introduce new customer protections along-side securing agreements with industry to quickly improve customer experience and ensure households are better protected. In this context the Energy Secretary welcomes the Competition and Market Authority’s comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry.

Fuel Finder data will be made freely available and third party services such as navigation apps and price comparison websites who will integrate the data into their consumer-facing tools, meaning drivers can access accurate, up-to-date fuel prices without needing to visit the website directly.

The Government will publicise Fuel Finder through its usual communications channels to raise awareness of the new system.

Under the Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) regulations 2025, the appointed aggregator is responsible for managing the registration information and providing real-time fuel price information. The Department also requires the aggregator to implement data quality assurance processes to ensure all information published through the Fuel Finder service meets agreed standards. This includes validating price submissions at the point of entry and implementing continuous data quality monitoring to maintain accuracy and reliability.

Motorists will primarily access Fuel Finder data indirectly through third-party navigation apps and price comparison websites. Fuel Finder will track who is accessing the data as an indicator of overall usage.

The service will also undergo a statutory evaluation which will as a minimum assess the likely effects for existing and future customers.

The Fuel Finder scheme is now live, with registration open to petrol stations. From 2 February, petrol stations will be required to report their fuel prices within 30 minutes of a change. This data will be made freely available on the Fuel Finder website and integrated into mapping software and price comparison apps, enabling consumers to compare prices easily and make informed decisions on where to buy their fuel.

The Government notes the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) annual road fuel monitoring report, which found that fuel margins remain high and are not explained by operating costs.

Addressing the CMA’s findings, the Government is implementing Fuel Finder, a statutory open data scheme for road fuel prices to improve price transparency and incentivise competition in the market from both supermarket and non-supermarket retailers. The CMA also has statutory powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 to monitor the market and advise on any further action.

We are aware of the significant potential that commercial rooftops have in supporting our Clean Power mission, and we are working closely with industry to unlock this potential.

Commercial rooftop solar has been a key agenda item at both Solar Council meetings this year as we continue to monitor delivery of the Solar Roadmap actions.

The government is committed to launching Fuel Finder as quickly as possible.

The Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025 were debated in the House of Lords on 4 December 2025 and should be in place from 18 December 2025.

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

As at 30 October 2024, there were 39,251 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme. Any transfer of the reserve would be used to enhance member benefits.

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

The government is launching Fuel Finder, an open data scheme to increase fuel price transparency, drive up competition, drive down prices, and help drivers find the best deal. This is real action to help tackle the cost of living.

The then Minister for Energy Consumers (Miatta Fahnbulleh) had discussions with industry, local government and devolved governments in the development of the Warm Homes Plan.

The Warm Homes Plan will help households, including rural off-gas grid households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The Department has partnered with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.

The plan will be published by October and will set out our strategy for decarbonising homes, including in rural settings, in more detail.

The then Minister for Energy Consumers (Miatta Fahnbulleh) had discussions with industry, local government and devolved governments in the development of the Warm Homes Plan.

The Warm Homes Plan will help households, including rural off-gas grid households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The Department has partnered with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.

The plan will be published by October and will set out our strategy for decarbonising homes, including in rural settings, in more detail.

The then Minister for Energy Consumers (Miatta Fahnbulleh) had discussions with industry, local government and devolved governments in the development of the Warm Homes Plan.

Boat dwellers will not qualify for government energy efficiency schemes as a valid domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is required to access this support. The Reduced data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) method does not support the creation of domestic EPCs for houseboats.

However, the Warm Homes Plan will help households, including off-gas grid rural households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating.

Solar canopies on outdoor carparks provide clean electricity, the potential for electric vehicle charging and shelter for cars. A comprehensive assessment of the carbon savings, deployment feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of different intervention options, including mandates and incentives, in both the public and private sector, requires input from stakeholders, including local authorities and commercial owners. The Secretary of State published a call for evidence earlier this year to assess the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor car parks. A government response will be published this year.

Ofgem have kept the Government updated on the progress of the review and the timetable for publication, and the findings of the review are due to be published shortly.

DESNZ Ministers regularly meet with Ofgem, including to discuss progress on key Ofgem initiatives such as its Consumer Confidence programme.

The Supplier Licence Conditions (SLCs) were put in place by the industry regulator Ofgem, so it is for them to make any assessment of supplier compliance to these rules. However, this Government does take the issue of clear, accurate billing very seriously.

According to the SLCs set by Ofgem, suppliers must take all reasonable steps to reflect accurate meter readings in bills or statements sent to customers where these have been provided by a customer or obtained by the supplier.