Stephen Flynn

While fish processing is not an eligible sector under the British Industry Supercharger or Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) Compensation Scheme, the Government will undertake a review of eligibility criteria in 2026. We would welcome views from a wide range of stakeholders, and the Government would encourage businesses in the fish processing sector to engage with this consultation when the opportunity arises. The Government wants to ensure our support is proportionate, effective and targeted to the most impacted EIIs to aid the net-zero transition.

The eligibility criteria for both the Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) Compensation Scheme and British Industry Supercharger are based on electricity usage and trade intensity levels. Some EIIs therefore do not meet the thresholds necessary to qualify for support under either scheme. The Government will review the eligibility criteria for both schemes in 2026 to ensure our support for EIIs is effective, proportionate and targeted. We would encourage views from a wide range of stakeholders during consultations.

The Government recognises that Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) are facing uncompetitively high energy costs. While some sectors are not currently eligible for EII schemes support, we would welcome all views from impacted EIIs when the Government consults on the future eligibility criteria of these schemes in 2026. The Government wants to ensure that we are supporting as many impacted sectors as possible during the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy, while mitigating carbon leakage and protecting British jobs.

Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. The government is considering how it can support the development of telecommunications infrastructure for a decarbonised energy system. As part of this, my officials are in regular discussion with counterparts in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with Ofcom on potential spectrum requirements.

The Government remains committed to assessing the case for hydrogen blending. In December 2024 we set out an intention to consult on transmission-level blending within Great Britain in early 2025, to gather evidence to help inform a strategic policy decision on whether to support transmission blending.

It was deeply disappointing that Petroineos confirmed its previous decision to close the oil refining operation at Grangemouth.

Since taking office, the Secretary of State and I have taken joint action with the Scottish Government to urgently engage with the company and its shareholders, and to engage with unions to discuss the needs of the workforce.

In response to the company’s decision, the UK and Scottish Governments announced a joint £100 million investment package for Falkirk and Grangemouth; immediate career support to help the workforce; and a joint-funded £1.5 million project to find viable long-term options for the site, with potential for future support from the National Wealth Fund.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

A range of stakeholders were engaged during the policy development of the Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels grant, including local government, cross-pavement solution providers, chargepoint operators and disability groups. No further consultation on the grant is planned.

We have assessed the grant under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and determined that it is not a subsidy.

This government has announced the creation of a £7.3bn National Wealth Fund, for which investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority. HM Treasury and the UK Infrastructure Bank are leading on the setting up of the NWF and agreeing details of its operation such as funding criteria, process, and allocation. The Fund is intended to be UK wide. Key missions for the UK government and this Department are kickstarting economic growth, creating opportunity for all, and driving forward the UK’s green energy transition.

This government has announced the creation of a £7.3bn National Wealth Fund, for which investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority. HM Treasury and the UK Infrastructure Bank are leading on the setting up of the NWF and agreeing details of its operation such as funding criteria, process, and allocation. The Fund is intended to be UK wide. Key missions for the UK government and this Department are kickstarting economic growth, creating opportunity for all, and driving forward the UK’s green energy transition.

This government has announced the creation of a £7.3bn National Wealth Fund, for which investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority. HM Treasury and the UK Infrastructure Bank are leading on the setting up of the NWF and agreeing details of its operation such as funding criteria, process, and allocation. The Fund is intended to be UK wide. Key missions for the UK government and this Department are kickstarting economic growth, creating opportunity for all, and driving forward the UK’s green energy transition.

Recognising the wide-ranging causes of child poverty, our new Ministerial Taskforce will explore how we can use all the available levers we have across government and wider society to drive forward the change our children need.

The government is committed to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with stakeholders to finalise the changes that were announced in the Chancellor’s Statement on July 29 in relation to the Energy Profits Levy, ensuring a phased and responsible transition for the North Sea. Money raised from these changes will support accelerating the transition to clean energy, increasing security and independence while providing sustainable jobs for the future and helping to protect electricity bills against future price shocks.

The Exchequer Secretary met with senior representatives from the oil and gas sector whilst chairing an Oil and Gas Fiscal Forum meeting in Aberdeen on August 12, and he met directly with workers in the sector. In addition, Treasury Ministers and officials continue to engage with the sector and various interested parties ahead of announcing further details of the final policy design at Budget.

The government is committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with the oil and gas sector on the implementation of the changes to the Energy Profits Levy. We will continue to engage with the sector ahead of publishing further details of final policy and impacts at Budget.