← Back to House of Commons Debates
Industrial Strategy 2025-06-12
12 June 2025
Lead MP
Liam Byrne
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxation
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Liam Byrne raised concerns about industrial strategy 2025-06-12 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
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.
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.
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
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.