Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Letter from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation relating to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, 11 May 2026
From: Business and Trade Committee
Inquiry: Industrial Strategy
Summary
Minister Blair McDougall confirms the Government's commitment to establishing a permanent statutory Industrial Strategy Council when parliamentary time permits. Pending legislation, a non-statutory Industrial Strategy Advisory Council is already operating, with a published mandate letter from January 2026 setting its work programme on market dynamism and business investment in skills.
Key findings
- Government intends to introduce legislation creating a statutory Industrial Strategy Council with clearly defined duties, functions, and access to Government data
- A non-statutory Industrial Strategy Advisory Council is currently providing evidence-based advice on Industrial Strategy delivery
- January 2026 mandate letter from the Chancellor and Minister commissions the Council to focus on driving market dynamism and boosting business investment in skills
- Statutory Council is presented as underpinning policy stability, continuity, and delivery of a 10-year Industrial Strategy plan
Tone
ProceduralTopics
industrial-strategybusiness-investmentgovernanceskills
Key actors
Blair McDougall MP, Liam Byrne MP, Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, Department for Business and Trade, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Notable line
“The Government is committed to establishing a permanent, statutory Industrial Strategy Council when parliamentary time allows …”
Key Quotes
“The Government is committed to establishing a permanent, statutory Industrial Strategy Council when parliamentary time allows, as set out in the Industrial Strategy.”
“The Bill will include provisions to put the Council on a statutory footing, with clearly defined duties and functions, underlining our commitment to policy stability, continuity, and delivery of a 10-year plan.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗