Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the level of energy prices in the UK relative to those in European countries on the UK's international competitiveness.

Gas prices for industrial users in the UK are typically among the cheapest in Europe. However, the UK’s industrial electricity prices are higher than those of other comparable countries, in part reflecting how the UK has spread electricity infrastructure costs more evenly between industry and households compared to other European countries. Recognising potential implications on industrial competitiveness, the Government announced in February that approximately 300 businesses across the UK will benefit from the British Industry Supercharger: targeted measures to ensure energy costs for key UK industries are in line with other major economies.

Prices data are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/international-energy-price-comparisons.