The only way to bring energy bills down sustainably is by reducing Britain’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. The Government’s mission for Clean Power by 2030 will get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices, to cut bills for businesses and households for good.

In the nearer term, through the British Industry Supercharger, the Government is reducing electricity costs for energy‑intensive industries. Since April 2026, the discount on electricity network charges for these firms has increased from 60% to 90%.

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will also reduce electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for over 10,000 businesses across the Industrial Strategy’s growth sectors and key manufacturing supply chains.

We are closely monitoring the impact of energy prices on businesses, communities, and social enterprises caused by the instability in the middle east, and much will depend on the length of the ongoing crisis. We are increasing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant for properties heated by oil and LPG, taking the total grant to £9,000. This will help SMEs and social enterprises in England and Wales most impacted by rising energy prices to electrify their heating and provide greater certainty over energy bills.

The government recognises that energy costs are a real concern for small businesses. Government supports a competitive insurance market and encourages firms to shop around for suitable cover. Businesses struggling to secure insurance can contact the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) for guidance and access to specialist brokers.

We are taking broader action to help firms manage energy cost volatility. This includes increasing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to £9,000 to help SMEs transition to lower-cost heating. In addition, strengthened Ofgem protections, regulation of third-party intermediaries, and expanded Energy Ombudsman access are improving transparency, redress, and resilience for business energy consumers.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade continues to have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Specific analysis on the impact of energy price differentials on services exports to CPTPP has not been produced.

The Government published an Impact Assessment in 2023 that estimated the potential impacts of UK accession to CPTPP, which found that the majority of services sectors are expected to see an increase in exports as a result of UK accession.

DBT is continually monitoring implementation of the agreement and will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its impacts.

We are closely monitoring the impact of rising energy prices, driven by global events. We have announced measures to help businesses most impacted by those rising energy prices to electrify their heating and provide greater certainty over energy bills as we transition away from fossil fuels.

We also monitor the utilisation rate for UK exporters. Data for 2026 is only available to February, showing the utilisation rate for UK exports to the EU was around 82%. This rate has remained consistent since the 2025 period. We therefore cannot make an accurate assessment of any changes since the outbreak of war.

There have been no recent discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on the transparency of energy pricing in the commercial sub‑metering market. Decisions on whether to take action in specific markets are a matter for the CMA, as the UK’s independent competition authority. Responsibility for energy policy sits with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem.

The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted a formal assessment on the impact of fluctuations in energy prices on the availability of professional indemnity insurance for energy consultants.

Regulatory bodies like Ofgem monitor the broader energy supply chain for unfair practices and price volatility to bring stability to the market.

The government would always encourage business owners to shop around to find the most suitable insurance coverage, at the best price. Any business that is struggling to secure cover may wish to contact the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). BIBA can offer guidance on how to look across the market for the best deals and may be able to provide names of specialist brokers. BIBA can be contacted at: www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance.

The Department for Business and Trade has made no formal assessment on the impact of service charge increases due to communal energy costs on the viability of managed workspace providers.

Ofgem is currently reviewing the Maximum Resale Price (MRP) rules, which protect tenants and consumers by ensuring landlords and site owners cannot profit from reselling gas and electricity. A key focus of this work involves modernising the framework to address EV charging, mixed-use buildings, and enforcement procedures.

As part of their 14th programme, the Law Commission will be carrying out a scoping exercise focusing on various issues including service charges.

The Government recognises that energy costs are a significant factor influencing business investment decisions, including in the agricultural sector. We understand the challenges that high industrial electricity prices present to businesses. This is why we are addressing wholesale and network costs through long‑term investment in clean, homegrown power to reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have put the industry on notice that they are monitoring fuel prices closely, including red diesel which is used in agriculture, and will not hesitate to take action if companies are found to have breached consumer protection law.

The Government recognises the risk of carbon leakage from higher energy costs for internationally traded sectors such as aerospace. From April 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will provide support to eligible manufacturers helping them to reduce energy costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour. The Government is introducing a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from 2027, which will place a carbon price on some of the most emissions intensive industrial goods imported to the UK. Government also supports aerospace decarbonisation and competitiveness through research and development funding, including the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, and ongoing engagement with industry.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

In the financial year 2025/2026, the Insolvency Service recorded a total of 315,424 potential redundancies from HR1 (Advance Notice of Redundancy) forms:

No assessment of the potential impact of energy costs on those figures has been made as no specific questions about energy costs are asked on the HR1 form.

The Government recognises the pressures that high energy costs can place on independent breweries. We engage regularly with colleagues across Government on measures to support businesses, and we keep the impact of energy prices under close review.

The Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, and the interim CEO of Ofgem, Tim Jarvis, have written to business energy suppliers setting clear expectations that customers, particularly small businesses such as independent breweries, must be treated fairly. The letter makes clear that any unfair practices will not be tolerated, and that suppliers should take a fair and supportive approach, offering maximum flexibility and transparency for small business customers.

The Government also plans to legislate on Third Party Intermediaries, including energy brokers, through the forthcoming Energy Independence Bill to strengthen protections for SMEs, including independent breweries, when they engage in the business energy market.

Energy re-sold to non-domestic tenants is a commercial matter between those two businesses dependent on their contract terms. Landlords in these situations have a legal duty to regularly inform their tenants of how much energy they have used and the price they have been charged for that energy.