Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Industrial Strategy 2025-06-12

12 June 2025 · 9 other contributors

Opened by Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill

EconomyBusiness & Trade

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Liam Byrne raised concerns about industrial strategy 2025-06-12 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Commends the seventh report of the Business and Trade Committee for its scrutiny plan on the upcoming industrial strategy.
  • Highlights potential for economic growth but warns of obstacles such as high energy costs and a broken procurement system.
  • Proposes reforms including cheaper energy, devolved skills funding, and regulatory reform.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill

Commends the seventh report of the Business and Trade Committee, which sets out a plan for scrutiny of the upcoming industrial strategy. Highlights the country's potential for economic growth but warns about obstacles like high energy costs, broken procurement system, skills gap, innovation diffusion blocks, financial barriers to scale-ups, and over-centralised Whitehall. Proposes ambitious reforms including grand challenges, public procurement overhaul, trade alignment, access to scale-up finance, cheaper energy, devolved skills funding, research diffusion, leadership from the Prime Minister, and regulatory reform.

Other contributors (9)
  • John Cooper Con Dumfries and Galloway

    Agrees with Liam Byrne's statement and emphasises that the report is practical and provides a blueprint for implementation. Highlights the importance of turning potential into reality.

  • Antonia Bance Lab Tipton and Wednesbury

    Acknowledges the contribution of small businesses to the evidence base and stresses the need for an industrial strategy that supports SMEs across all growth sectors, not just large corporations.

  • Gregor Poynton Lab Livingston

    Highlights the need for an industrial strategy that galvanises action across Government departments. Emphasises the importance of creating a positive operating environment for investment and business growth.

  • Charlie Maynard LD Witney

    Questions the effectiveness of the industrial strategy in addressing energy costs, which are causing havoc for businesses around the country.

  • Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington

    Acknowledges the structural challenges faced by industries such as energy and skills. Calls for a whole-of-Government approach to tackle these challenges effectively.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Inquires about the recommendation to devolve responsibility for post-16 technical education and training to local leaders, as well as the impact on apprenticeships and university education.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab/Co-op York Central

    Proposes a greater emphasis on the convening role of higher education institutions in fostering industrial clusters and economic change within localities.

  • Iqbal Mohamed Ind Dewsbury and Batley

    Asks about tests that ensure business growth is ethical, moral, and responsible while also protecting consumers, the public, and the environment.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Requests information on how Northern Ireland companies can better integrate into the public procurement process to catch up with the rest of the UK.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy