There is a whole series of industries for which the cost of energy is a significant part of the problems they face. The Department and Government are engaged in work to tackle this issue, with Chris Vince's role across two Departments allowing him to bridge these issues.

Regarding steel strategy, the government is working towards a positive outcome for British steel trade. The plan to address this issue will soon be published, providing solutions to the concerns raised by the Conservative Party. Concerning Royal Mail's service issues, an Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade plans to meet with Royal Mail next week to improve nationwide postal services.

We are committed to ensuring jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability. The next step involves consulting before setting regulations to get detailed guidance. We aim for workers to receive guaranteed hours as part of contract agreements, with compensation for cancelled shifts being another crucial element.

We have been working hard to secure good outcomes for many businesses in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey. Companies like Walker’s Shortbread are doing well by exporting globally. The Prime Minister is also talking about whisky deals with the US and China. I suggest he be cheerier given the beauty of his constituency.

We recognise the importance of the north-east’s pharmaceutical sector. We aim to back this growth sector by providing necessary support, securing and expanding opportunities in line with the North East Growth Plan's strategic goals.

We have already had quite a bit of a discussion on business rates and I do not have much to add to that. The health and beauty sector is an important export industry for the UK, and because we managed to get tariffs down on beauty products in our free trade agreement with India, we are facilitating businesses going out to India as part of a trade fair to drive up our exports around the world.

The pubs code in England and Wales regulates the relationship between pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs, including Stonegate and its tied-pub tenants. The Government are currently undertaking the third statutory review of the effectiveness of the code. I encourage my hon. Friend to write to me setting out the details of his example.

The hon. Gentleman is right that the British industrial competitiveness scheme will provide a significant discount on energy costs to up to 7,000 manufacturing businesses. The Government are currently undertaking a review and we will announce the results of the consultation in due course.

Obviously we would like to do so. As the MP for the next-door constituency, and having visited the factory myself, I am keen to ensure that we do so. A large part of this programme is a Ministry of Defence responsibility, and I will make sure that the MOD writes to the hon. Gentleman.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his positive and constructive engagement on this issue. I do understand the concerns of the steelworkers in Scunthorpe. I know precisely the projects he is referring to; they were not procured under public procurement rules, and the developers and tier 1 contractors involved have followed their own rules and commitments. However, it is the case that this Government want to see more British steel used in both public and other projects around the country, which is a matter both for developing steel capability and, potentially, for reviewing our procurement rules.

It is certainly true that now that the EU has secured a Mercosur deal, having taken 25 years to do so, there is a danger that British business will be left out and excluded because there will be preferential rates for European businesses. It is something we are looking at very closely, and I hope to be able to update the right hon. Gentleman very soon. As he knows, I am passionate about trying to increase our exports to Latin America. I would just note that some companies, such as Inca Kola, were created by British firms.