Draft Renewables Obligation and Electricity Capacity (Amendment) (British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme Excluded Electricity) Regulations 2026

Sarah Edwards Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2026 General Committees

[Sarah Edwards (Tamworth) (Lab)]

I also lend my support to these regulations and the British industrial competitiveness scheme. As the Minister knows, I have long campaigned on business energy costs, about which we have talked at length, so I am really pleased to support this initiative. One of the businesses in my constituency, Alcon, is an advanced automotive manufacturer that will be applying to the scheme, which it is pleased to welcome. I am a member of the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee, which similarly welcomes this initiative and particularly the payment to include 2026, as the Minister said.

I ask the Minister to speak to his good friend, the Chancellor, about further initiatives to help those businesses that do not currently qualify for the scheme. If we want growth in every postcode, we have to make sure that, as much as possible, we deal with the energy costs that we know are stifling all businesses, not just those in advanced manufacturing and other eligible sectors. I lend my support, but I ask the Minister to join me in petitioning to make sure that we support all businesses across the country, not just in Tamworth.