Written questions by Snell.

Whether he plans to publish key performance indicators on the impact of Government energy support on business productivity.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on long-term reform of the electricity market to decouple gas and renewable prices for business users.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade continues to have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the energy costs of heritage businesses and listed commercial buildings.

The Department recently engaged with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the proposals to improve the energy performance of buildings, including heritage and listed commercial properties. The Government consulted on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates and proposes to bring all heritage buildings into scope of EPCs and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards barring other exemptions; as well as proposals to strengthen non-domestic Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards to EPC B – reducing energy costs for businesses. The Government recognises the challenges of improving heritage properties. That is why Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards include safeguards such as cost-effectiveness requirements and exemptions where third-party consent is not provided, ensuring a proportionate approach.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of fluctuations in energy prices on the availability of professional indemnity insurance for energy consultants.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent changes to energy costs on the level of profit reinvestment by social enterprises into local communities.

We are closely monitoring the impact of energy prices on businesses, communities, and social enterprises caused by the instability in the middle east, and much will depend on the length of the ongoing crisis. We are increasing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant for properties heated by oil and LPG, taking the total grant to £9,000. This will help SMEs and social enterprises in England and Wales most impacted by rising energy prices to electrify their heating and provide greater certainty over energy bills.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy price differentials on the volume of UK services exports to CPTPP member nations.

Specific analysis on the impact of energy price differentials on services exports to CPTPP has not been produced.The Government published an Impact Assessment in 2023 that estimated the potential impacts of UK accession to CPTPP, which found that the majority of services sectors are expected to see an increase in exports as a result of UK accession.DBT is continually monitoring implementation of the agreement and will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its impacts.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of high energy costs on the R&D budgets of manufacturing firms.

This Government is committed to reducing energy costs for energy intensive businesses, including eligible manufacturers investing in R&D. From 2027 the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will reduce electricity costs for over 10,000 eligible manufacturing businesses, by up to £40 per megawatt hour.The British Industry Supercharger is supporting the competitiveness of around 550 energy and trade-intensive firms across Great Britain. This results in a saving of between £65- £87 per megawatt hour.Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan commits to £4.3bn of funding for Frontier Sectors over a five-year period including up to £2.8 billion for R&D funding alone.

What recent discussions he has had with the British Business Bank on the provision of low-interest loans for industrial battery storage systems.

The Business Secretary has regular discussions with the British Business Bank on a range of issues relating to access to finance for smaller businesses. No recent discussions have taken place specifically on the provision of low-interest loans for industrial battery storage systems.The Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme facilitates the provision of loans to smaller businesses on a sector-neutral basis. In 2025, the Bank also launched a pilot of a Green Growth Guarantee Scheme to facilitate the flow of finance to businesses investing in green technologies.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of business energy costs on the utilisation rates of UK-EU trade preferences under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups.

The Government has not identified evidence that Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have reduced the availability of affordable commercial rental space for start-ups. The department’s Impact Assessment has shown that costs for building improvements would be expected to make up a small proportion of typical commercial rents and are therefore unlikely to distort rental pricing on their own. The cost effectiveness test within the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations means that an energy efficiency improvement must be implemented only where it is estimated that the energy bill savings over 7 years are greater than the cost of installing the measure. This is designed to ensure all measures installed are good value for money.

What steps he is taking to ensure that increased energy costs do not cause carbon leakage in the UK’s aerospace supply chain.

The Government recognises the risk of carbon leakage from higher energy costs for internationally traded sectors such as aerospace. From April 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will provide support to eligible manufacturers helping them to reduce energy costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour. The Government is introducing a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from 2027, which will place a carbon price on some of the most emissions intensive industrial goods imported to the UK. Government also supports aerospace decarbonisation and competitiveness through research and development funding, including the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, and ongoing engagement with industry.

What steps he is taking to brief UK trade envoys on the energy-related strengths of the UK’s low-carbon goods and services sector.

Trade Envoys are briefed on each of the Industrial Strategy priority sectors, including the objectives of the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, and the UK's strengths in these supply chains. Prior to a market visit, Trade Envoys are briefed on the key objectives and sectors outlined in each Country Trade Plan.

Whether he has assessed the potential effectiveness of Energy as a Service business models in reducing upfront capital barriers for UK manufacturers.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions he has had with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the transparency of energy pricing in the commercial sub-metering market.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the circular economy sector with energy costs related to material reprocessing and recycling.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on business rate relief for firms that install external wall insulation on industrial units to reduce energy costs.

The Government is committed to supporting businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their premises, helping to reduce their energy costs. The business rates system already provides certain reliefs and exemptions, including Improvement Relief which provides 12 months of relief for qualifying improvements to a property. Additionally, a Call for Evidence on business rates and investment closed on 18 February. It asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, with questions on Improvement Relief. The Government is carefully considering representations it has received, and a response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he is taking steps to encourage the development of insurance products to protect small businesses against sudden energy price spikes.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has made a comparative assessment of industrial energy subsidies (a) provided by the US under the Inflation Reduction Act and (b) available to UK firms.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on business investment in the agricultural sector.

The Government recognises that energy costs are a significant factor influencing business investment decisions, including in the agricultural sector. We understand the challenges that high industrial electricity prices present to businesses. This is why we are addressing wholesale and network costs through long‑term investment in clean, homegrown power to reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have put the industry on notice that they are monitoring fuel prices closely, including red diesel which is used in agriculture, and will not hesitate to take action if companies are found to have breached consumer protection law.