Written questions by Snell.

Whether he plans to reintroduce an energy bills discount scheme for energy and trade intensive industries.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. We are working relentlessly in this Parliament on how we reduce wholesale energy costs, and we want to make sure this follows through onto domestic and non-domestic bills. Financial relief to support energy intensive industries with electricity costs is worth £470 million per year through a mixture of spending and bill discounts. Additionally, 300 energy intensive businesses across the UK will benefit from the British Industry Supercharger, which has targeted measures to ensure the energy costs for key UK industries are in line with other major economies around the world.

What assessment his Department has made of the capability of UK ceramics manufacturers to transition to lower-carbon fuels.

Carbon savings through fuel switching from fossil fuels to low carbon alternatives are needed for the industrial sector to transition to net zero. Government is developing a suite of policies to deliver these savings. As it does so, it is closely engaging with sector trade association Ceramics UK, as well as ceramics manufacturers directly, to identify and understand the challenges and barriers to decarbonisation of this diverse sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of GB Energy on UK ceramic manufacturers.

Ceramics manufacturing is an energy-intensive process, and we recognise that price shocks in recent years have left businesses and families struggling with energy bills. In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee energy security and protect billpayers is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. We have a sustainable, long-term plan to protect all UK billpayers. Great British Energy will be part of this plan by driving the deployment of homegrown energy to boost our energy independence. By delivering clean, secure energy, Great British Energy will help reduce our exposure to volatile international markets.

What discussions he has had with energy companies on reducing prices for (a) UK ceramic manufacturers and (b) other energy intensive industries.

Details of Ministers' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. Companies in the ceramics sector are eligible to apply to the British Industry Supercharger scheme, which has provided energy bill support to hundreds of firms in energy intensive sectors. Financial relief to support energy intensive industries with electricity costs is worth £470 million per year through a mixture of spending and bill discounts. I understand that Minister Jones is due to meet with representatives of the ceramics sector later this month to discuss challenges faced by manufacturers, including high energy costs. Government is committed to continuing to listen and engage with the sector.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme on employment levels in ceramic manufacturers.

The Government is committed to supporting UK industry to decarbonise and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs in regions across the UK. A strong UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) will drive green investment as part of a broader industrial strategy, helping deliver a just transition, grow the economy, and secure good jobs for people across the country. UK ETS participants, including those in the ceramics sector, receive free allocations to protect energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries from carbon leakage. As part of the review into free allocations, an assessment of impacts to sectors will be conducted before any final decisions are taken.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) Ceramics UK, (b) the Secretary State for Business and Trade and (c) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the exclusion of imported ceramics from the scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues. Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Products from the ceramics sector will not be in scope of the UK CBAM upon implementation in 2027. The ceramic sector is, on average, less emissions intensive than those sectors within scope of the UK CBAM, and therefore relatively less exposed to carbon leakage risk.

Whether he has had discussions with ceramics manufacturers on the viability of hydrogen as a fuel for energy intensive industries.

Details of Ministers' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

What steps his Department is taking to prioritise financial support for the energy costs of ceramic manufacturers.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. Companies in the ceramics sector are eligible to apply to the British Industry Supercharger scheme, which has provided energy bill support to hundreds of firms in energy intensive sectors. Financial relief to support energy intensive industries with electricity costs is worth £470 million per year through a mixture of spending and bill discounts. I understand that Minister Jones is due to meet with representatives of the ceramics sector later this month to discuss challenges faced by manufacturers, including high energy costs. Government is committed to continuing to listen and engage with the sector.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the zonal electricity pricing consultation on UK ceramic manufacturers.

We are analysing the potential impact of zonal pricing options on Energy Intensive Industries, including ceramic manufacturers, working closely with the Department for Business and Trade. We recognise concerns that zonal pricing may introduce some uncertainty and variability in the cost of electricity, and are carefully considering a range of possible mitigations for Energy Intensive Industries should they be deemed necessary.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of being temporarily exempted from the UK emission trading scheme on UK ceramic manufacturers.

The Government is committed to supporting UK industry to decarbonise, protecting thousands of jobs in regions across the UK and enabling growth and wealth creation.The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) incentivises industries to find the most cost-effective solutions to decarbonise. UK ETS participants, including those in the ceramics sector, are provided with free allocations, to incentivise emissions reduction and protect energy intensive, trade exposed industries from the risk of carbon leakage.