Written questions by Snell.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 tr...

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 co

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 assessme...

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 indu...

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 ha...