Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Government recognises brewing as an energy-intensive manufacturing activity for the purposes of accessing industrial electricity cost relief schemes.

The Government does not currently recognise brewing as an energy-intensive industry for the purposes of eligibility for the British Industry Supercharger. The Supercharger supports businesses by relieving them of certain electricity policy and network costs. The list of eligible sectors is based on European Commission guidelines, since eligibility was established when the UK was an EU Member State. The scheme currently targets businesses in sectors like steel and chemicals who are at the highest risk of carbon leakage and who meet specific trade and electricity intensity thresholds.

The Government intends to review the scheme this year and interested stakeholders can engage with the associated public consultation. Any amendments to the policy are subject to ministerial and UK Parliament approval.