Written questions by Snell.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the British Industry Supercharger scheme.

Since 1 April 2024, eligible Energy-Intensive Industries have benefited from the British Industry Supercharger, which tackles carbon leakage by bringing industrial electricity costs closer in line with those in neighbouring countries. Subsequent evidence commissioned by the Government identified that the electricity price gap between Great Britain and other countries still presented a carbon leakage risk. In the Modern Industrial Strategy, we announced an uplift of the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% from 1 April 2026 to reduce the gap by an additional £8–10/MWh. The Government will review the Supercharger in 2029 to assess its ongoing effectiveness.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the price of wholesale gas on the viability of energy intensive industries.

This Government is aware of the impact of gas costs on energy-intensive industries and that current energy support schemes only subsidise the cost of electricity for eligible electricity-intensive businesses. My officials regularly engage with trade associations and industry groups, including the Energy Intensive Users Group, to ensure that their concerns are heard and inform potential policy support for gas costs in future.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) engage with and (b) educate postmasters on the practical implications of the potential mutualisation of the Post Office.

My department has been actively engaging postmasters through the Green Paper consultation on the future of the Post Office, which closed earlier this month. This included two postmaster focus groups to ensure postmaster voices are clearly heard on the full range of issues covered by the Green Paper, including mutualisation and other governance options.The Green Paper itself included information on mutualisation as one potential future ownership model, and the department is continuing to analyse feedback on this and other options. However, it is worth noting that decisions on long-term governance will not be taken until the second volume of Sir Wyn Williams inquiry has been published. In the interim both the department and the Post Office will continue to actively engage Postmasters on this topic.

What proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

A small amount of crockery and tableware has been purchased locally using departmental funds. No central record is maintained of these purchases. To determine the country of origin of all such items would require a check of all items in use. The cost of this would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £850.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36726 on Energy Intensive Industries: Ceramics, whether he has undertaken a sectoral assessment.

The Department for Business and Trade has a close and productive relationship with the UK ceramics sector, particularly its leading Trade Association Ceramics UK who meet regularly with officials and Ministers.As part of our ongoing dialogue, we will continue to engage with ceramics business on the challenges they face now and in the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36726, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria for accessing the British Energy Supercharge scheme for sectors that already qualify.

Sectors have been assessed against their electricity and trade intensity. As part of our review of eligibility in 2026, we will assess whether these data sets and the thresholds we have previously used remain the best approach to judging eligibility for the Supercharger.

If his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the long-term viability of the UK ceramics sector.

The Department for Business and Trade has a close and productive relationship with the UK ceramics sector, particularly its leading Trade Association, Ceramics UK, who meet regularly with officials and Ministers.As part of our ongoing dialogue, we will continue to engage with ceramics business on the challenges they face now and in the future.I will continue to work to ensure that long-term viability of the UK ceramics sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of opening the Energy Intensive Industry Exemption scheme to all ceramics manufacturers.

Eligibility for relief through the British Energy Supercharger scheme is based on an assessment of the electricity and trade intensity of an individual sector and how exposed it is to the risk of carbon leakage. The list of eligible sectors is set out in legislation, meaning we are unable to add to it without a full public consultation. The Government plans to review eligibility of sectors in 2026 and my officials will keep interested stakeholders updated on developments.

If his Department will convene a ceramics taskforce, chaired by a Minister.

The Department for Business and Trade works closely with the ceramics sector through Ceramics UK and directly with businesses to understand its challenges and provide support to help its global competitiveness. If we take a view that a ceramics taskforce is required, we will convene it. Our engagement includes the Energy Intensive Users Group which includes representation from the ceramics sector. I recently held a roundtable with members of EIUG and met with a ceramics sector delegation today.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the business-level test from the Energy Intensive industry scheme eligibility requirements for UK ceramic manufacturers.

The business level test was introduced to focus support under the British Industry Supercharger at those individual businesses most at risk of carbon leakage and to balance the cost of the scheme to other electricity users with the benefits to Energy Intensive Industries. There are currently no plans to amend that business level test and any proposed amendments to the scheme criteria would be subject to consultation.

With which relevant stakeholders it plans to consult when preparing its biannual monitoring reports on the (a) UK-Australia and (b) UK-New Zealand free trade agreements.

The Department for Business and Trade engages with and recognises the need to understand a range of stakeholder perspectives in its aims to monitor Free Trade Agreements, including UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand.

What aspects of the (a) UK-Australia and (b) UK-New Zealand free trade agreements will be assessed as part of the biannual monitoring reports that will be published on those treaties.

The department is considering its approach to monitoring Free Trade Agreements, including the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand agreement. The government will provide an update on this in due course to align with the Trade Strategy.

Whether he plans to include core standards for animal welfare within his planned trade strategy.

We are currently developing the trade strategy, closely engaging with stakeholders as we refine its content. The trade strategy will set out how we can achieve long-term sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth through trade. The development of the trade strategy will consider the Government’s commitment to uphold our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards, areas in which the UK is a world leader.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making an assessment of (a) core food and drink production standards, (b) environmental sustainability and (c) animal welfare standard before commencing negotiations with potential trade partners.

The Government is firmly committed to upholding our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards, areas in which the UK is a world leader. We assess environmental and food production impacts in our published FTA scoping assessments.

What steps his Department is taking to promote UK-based food businesses to international markets.

DBT offers a wide range of export support for F&D businesses looking to expand overseas. We work with partners and industry across the UK to deliver a comprehensive programme to showcase British food and drink and deliver export opportunities to industry. With the support of our extensive overseas network we run a significant programme of trade shows, missions and events, with trade advisors promoting UK food in over 100 countries. For example, in October, we held a high-profile showcase at the British Residence in Paris, promoting the quality, heritage and innovation of UK F&D to a wide audience of global buyers.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Whistleblowing Framework and (b) protections provided to whistleblowers.

The whistleblowing framework provides routes for workers to make disclosures about wrongdoing or someone covering up wrongdoing. Workers who blow the whistle are entitled to protection from detriment or dismissal, and have a route to redress where this happens. In the Plan to Make Work Pay, the Government committed to strengthen protections for whistleblowers, including by updating protection for women who report sexual harassment at work. Through the Employment Rights Bill [introduced on 10 October], we will make it clear that disclosures about sexual harassment can qualify for whistleblowing protections.