Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Make UK report entitled No Weak links: Building Supply Chain Resilience, published on 7 March 2023, whether her Department is taking steps to support the UK manufacturing sector with the cost of (a) energy, (b) transportation and (c) raw materials in the next 12 months.

The manufacturing sector plays a vital role in the UK economy, by driving innovation, exports, job creation and productivity growth.

The Government announced a new energy support scheme for businesses in January ahead of the current scheme ending in March. All eligible UK businesses will continue to receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024.

Supply Chain constraints and cost escalation are not unique to the UK. The government will assist where it can, for example, with the action we have taken to respond to requests for Duty Suspensions and action to train more HGV drivers.

I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 14^th March 2023 to Question 161280.