British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme

Debate between Sarah Coombes and Peter Kyle

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

I know that my hon. Friend has had meetings with several of my Ministers, and of course I am always available for him too.

[Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)]

I am very proud to represent a strong industrial constituency with hundreds of excellent manufacturing businesses, and I was very grateful to the Secretary of State for his visit to one of them before Christmas. This Government back British manufacturing, and the BIC scheme will be game changing for the 10,000 businesses that benefit from it. Can the Secretary of State ensure that it is not too onerous to prove eligibility, and that we look after the many excellent businesses in the metal-forming sector in my constituency, which are impacted not just by the historically high industrial prices we inherited, but by the steel safeguarding changes?

[Peter Kyle]

I remember that visit well, and I will reflect on my hon. Friend’s words, as I always do. The eligibility checker will go live in the summer, and the businesses she refers to will be able to check their ability to benefit from what she correctly describes as a highly impactful scheme.