Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Industrial Strategy

Thursday 30 January 2025 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support for including defence in the UK's industrial strategy was highlighted.
  • Questions emphasized the importance of manufacturing jobs and advanced technology sectors across the UK.
  • Concerns were raised about the carbon border adjustment mechanism's impact on steel and aluminium businesses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Strickland Lab Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP hosted a roundtable discussion with the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, where SMEs expressed concerns about red tape and bureaucracy when contracting with Government Departments.

Question

I strongly welcome the inclusion of defence in the draft industrial strategy and was pleased yesterday to host a roundtable in Sedgefield with the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry. Many of the innovative small and medium-sized enterprises that we talked to spoke of the struggles that they have with red tape, bureaucracy and contracting with Departments across Whitehall. How will Ministers grab the opportunity of the industrial strategy to remove this red tape, which too often can thwart SME growth?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

I am really pleased my hon. Friend held that roundtable. It is quite a turning point to have an industrial strategy with defence as one of the sectors; building new relationships across Departments with colleagues who work in defence is a really powerful and important thing to do. He speaks to a wider problem face by a lot of industry when it comes to dealing with Government agencies and Departments. We are working hard to make these things easier, because growth is our priority and we have to break down those barriers.

Partly answered
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Q2 Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP emphasizes the importance of creating manufacturing jobs through the Government's industrial strategy, referencing a report by RenewableUK on offshore wind technology.

Question

It is essential that the Government’s industrial strategy creates manufacturing jobs across the country, including in my constituency. The RenewableUK offshore wind industrial growth plan shows the UK can be a global technology leader in advanced turbine tech, foundations, electrical systems and cables. Will my hon. Friend commit to using our industrial strategy to ensure there is growth in these areas to put British manufacturing at the heart of the clean energy transition?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

I thank my hon. Friend for her question, for her defence of her constituency and for her ambitions, which we share. I believe the report she refers to came out before this Labour Government came to power. With our new policies and the new drive and ambition from our Secretaries of State for Business and Trade and for Energy Security and Net Zero, we are powering forward with our renewable agenda, and we will make sure that all of our growth driving sectors speak to my hon. Friend’s area and everyone’s area of the country and drive growth across the board.

Partly answered
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Q3 Sarah Coombes Lab
Climate Business & Trade
Context

The MP expresses concerns about the upcoming carbon border adjustment mechanism's impact on UK steel and aluminium manufacturers.

Question

Manufacturers in my constituency are really excited about the upcoming industrial strategy and all the growth that will bring. However, steel and aluminium businesses in particular are concerned about the upcoming carbon border adjustment mechanism, the gap with the EU, and whether the whole system will be ready for implementation. If we do not get it right, the CBAM will have a big impact on our ability to trade and on growth, so can the Minister assure me she is going to be working with the Treasury to ensure we get this right and that it supports manufacturers in the west midlands?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

I know my hon. Friend will hold this Government to account on what we are doing and how we are going, and she will push, and already has done, to make sure we are doing everything we can for the industries in her area. The CBAM will be introduced in 2027, and she speaks to concerns that I have heard in conversations around steel in particular, which is very important to this country. That is why we are developing a steel strategy, which will set a future direction of travel for steel, but we are working with the EU and with industry here to make sure the CBAM works and does what it is supposed to do.

Partly answered
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Q4 Paul Waugh Labour (Co-op)
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights the Atom Valley mayoral development zone, which includes a world-class supercluster for advanced manufacturing and a research center focusing on critical minerals.

Question

Andy Burnham’s Atom Valley mayoral development zone is creating a world-class supercluster for advanced manufacturing right across 70 million square feet in Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and Middleton. Rochdale’s Kingsway business park will be home to the SMMC—the sustainable materials and manufacturing centre—a world-class cutting-edge research centre. Will the Minister join me in supporting the SMMC, and perhaps arrange a visit either by herself or the Secretary of State to see what is happening with the jobs of the future in Rochdale?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing to the House the work that is going on for the Atom Valley development zone, which is incredibly important and exactly what we want to see. The Mayor of Greater Manchester is to be congratulated for his leadership in this space as well. I am very interested in the work my hon. Friend refers to, not least because of the critical minerals strategy we are developing and the graphene work that I know will be under way in the manufacturing centre hub, so I very much look forward to talking further to him about what is happening and how we can help.

Partly answered
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Q5 Gavin Williamson Con Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Economy Energy Business & Trade
Context

The chemical industry in Sir Gavin's constituency is facing challenges due to high energy costs compared to European competitors. The CEO of INEOS has warned about the potential extinction of the British chemical industry.

Question

Sir Gavin Williamson noted that the HEX Group and SI Group are significant employers in his constituency, impacted by higher energy prices than those in Germany, the Netherlands, and France. He asked when these companies will be able to purchase energy at comparable rates.

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

The previous Government’s economic policies have been detrimental to the chemical industry. The current government acknowledges the importance of this sector and is working on building stable energy policies that support these foundational industries, including through conversations with manufacturers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or mechanism for achieving parity in energy prices was not provided.

How: Acknowledging Past Government'S Failure, Emphasizing Ongoing Work

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Q6 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

Energy costs have risen due to lack of sunlight and wind, increasing reliance on imported oil and gas. Nuclear power is seen as a necessary complement to renewable sources for energy security.

Question

Dame Harriett Baldwin inquired about the Department for Business and Trade's stance regarding new nuclear projects given the current policy not issuing licences for domestic oil and gas extraction.

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

The Minister acknowledged her joint role in both departments and confirmed that she is working closely with colleagues on a comprehensive energy strategy including renewables, hydrogen, carbon capture, and nuclear power. She noted that the government aims to treble solar capacity, double wind generation, support big nuclear projects and small modular reactors.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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