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Select Committee · Business and Trade Committee

Industrial Strategy

Status: Open Opened: 28 Jan 2025 24 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

Our first industrial strategy inquiry will take a comprehensive look at the Government's proposals for a 10-year modern industrial strategy, as set out in Invest 2035. We will scrutinise the proposals in the Government’s Green Paper, and its forthcoming White Paper, and make recommendations for the Comprehensive Spending Review.

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report - Industrial Strategy HC 727 6 Jun 2025 32 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
8 Recommendation 7th Report - Industrial Strategy Accepted in Part

Develop trade strategy with industrial strategy and publish plan to remove export barriers.

We recommend that the Government develops its forthcoming trade strategy with the industrial strategy and makes sure that it enables the 8 growth-driving sectors to grow exports, including in the food and drink sector. We also recommend that the Government publishes a 71 10-year plan for working to take down … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states the Trade and Industrial Strategies were developed together to support growth sectors with direct export support, including new legislation for UK Export Finance and a "Ricardo Fund" for removing trade barriers. However, it does not commit to publishing a separate 10-year plan …
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Department for Business and Trade
12 Recommendation 7th Report - Industrial Strategy Accepted in Part

Provide multi-year framework contracts for SMEs; set direct public procurement spend target.

To support SMEs to innovate and to continue to grow, we recommend that multi-year framework contracts are available for SMEs in the sectors in which the state is the biggest customer, such as defence and life sciences. We also recommend that the Government set a target for how much of … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that the Procurement Act (2023) requires central government departments to set 3-year targets for direct spend with SMEs from April 2025, and MOD has committed to increasing defence spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028. However, the response does not …
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Department for Business and Trade
14 Conclusion 7th Report - Industrial Strategy Accepted in Part

Complex public finance institutions would benefit from a single access point for businesses.

The UK has a complex system of public finance institutions. We accept that different businesses, depending on where they are on their journey, will need different types of financial support. However, our view is that there would be merit in providing a single front door for companies looking for government … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of public finance and commits to strengthening coordination across public finance institutions via a new UK Strategic Public Investment Forum. This Forum will bring together key bodies to improve clarity for businesses and investors and facilitate investment in Industrial …
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Department for Business and Trade
15 Recommendation 7th Report - Industrial Strategy Accepted in Part

Consolidate public finance institutions into a single body to simplify business support.

We recommend, in line with the Harrington review, that the Government should consolidate the public finance institutions, especially the National Wealth Fund and the British Business Bank, preferably into a single body to simplify the system for business and investors looking for government support, together with the reforms we set … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of public finance but does not commit to consolidating public finance institutions into a single body. Instead, it commits to strengthening coordination and clarity through a new UK Strategic Public Investment Forum.
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Department for Business and Trade
24 Recommendation 7th Report - Industrial Strategy Accepted in Part

Commission and publish analysis of skills gaps across eight growth-driving sectors.

We recommend that: • Skills England commission and publish an analysis of the skills gaps across the eight growth-driving sectors and report to Parliament within six months. This should include an estimate of the current and future skills gaps across these sectors over the course of the 10-year period of … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government refers to Skills England's ongoing assessments of skills needs, partially addressing the recommendation for analysis. It outlines how the English Devolution White Paper will strengthen local leadership in skills and states a commitment to exploring further devolution, but does not address the recommendations …
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Department for Business and Trade
26 Recommendation 7th Report - Industrial Strategy Accepted in Part

Review UK public research and innovation institutions for industrial strategy alignment and commercialisation.

We recommend that the Department for Business & Trade and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology now conduct a review of the UK’s public research and innovation institutions to ensure they are in alignment with the industrial strategy and that there is clear institutional leadership of research and development for … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for alignment and leadership in R&D, stating it will give UKRI new objectives to enable innovation and commercialisation, and ensure the Catapult Network is focused on industrial strategy priorities. However, it does not commit to conducting the recommended comprehensive review …
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Department for Business and Trade

Oral evidence sessions

8 sessions
Date Witnesses
28 Apr 2026 Adam Berman · Energy UK, Arjan Geveke · Energy Intensive Users Group, Dame Clare Barclay DBE · Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, David Whitehouse · OEUK, Kate Bell · Trade Union Congress (TUC), Leonie Lambert · Department for Business and Trade, Lisa Brankin · Ford of Britain and Ireland, Matthew Ogg · Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Murray Paul · Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Rick Jennings · Tata Chemicals Europe Group, Rt Hon Greg Clark · Industrial Strategy Advisory Council View ↗
13 May 2025 Andrew Forzani · Cabinet Office, Andrew New · NHS Supply Chain, Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP · Department for Business and Trade, The Baroness Gustafsson CBE · HM Treasury, The Lord Livermore · HM Treasury, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Smith of Malvern · Department of Education View ↗
29 Apr 2025 Andy Burnham · Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Howard Dawber · Greater London Authority, John Flint · National Wealth Fund, John Godfrey · TheCityUK, Kim McGuinness · North East Combined Authority, Kitty Ussher · Barclays, Louis Taylor · British Business Bank, Matt Clifford CBE · Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), Mike Biddle · Innovate UK (UKRI), Professor Ben Morgan · Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Stian Westlake · Economic and Social Research Council, UKRI View ↗
22 Apr 2025 Alan Johnson · Nissan AMEIO, Alistair McGirr · SSE, Brian Holliday · Siemens UK, Louise Kingham CBE · BP plc, Markus Grüneisl · BMW (UK) Manufacturing Ltd, Mike Hawes · Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Professor David Greenwood · Warwick Manufacturing Group, Rob Salter-Church · National Grid, Rob Salter-Church · National Grid Electricity Transmission, Stephen Phipson CBE · Make UK, Steve Turner · Unite the Union View ↗
26 Mar 2025 Barnaby Kistruck OBE · Ministry of Defence, Neil Johnson · Department for Business and Trade, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP · Ministry of Defence, Sarah Jones MP · Department for Business and Trade View ↗
18 Mar 2025 Alasdair McDiarmid · Community, Allan Bell · British Steel, Chris Daniels · Flare Bright, John Howie MBE · Babcock International, Jon Bolton · Materials Processing Institute, Mr Adam Forgiel-Jenkins · BAE Systems, Oriel Petry · Airbus UK, Oriel Petry · Airbus, Rajesh Nair · Tata Steel UK, Shaun Grady · AstraZeneca UK, Tom Keith-Roach · AstraZeneca plc View ↗
4 Mar 2025 Anthony Walker · Tech UK, Audrey Yvernault · GSK, Miles Celic · TheCityUK, Paul Morris · Vodafone, Peter Stephens · ARM, Ramon Kaur · EY UK, Sir John Bell · Ellison Institute of Technology, Stevan Randjelovic · WPP, Steve Bates OBE · The BioIndustry Association, Steve Brierley · Riverlane View ↗
11 Feb 2025 Clare Barclay · Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, Jordan Cummins · Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Kate Bell · Trade Union Congress (TUC), Professor Diane Coyle · University of Cambridge, Professor Mariana Mazzucato · University College London (UCL), Sir Charlie Mayfield · Be the Business View ↗

Who gave evidence

69 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Kate Bell · Assistant General Secretary Trade Union Congress (TUC) 2
Adam Berman · Deputy Director of Policy Energy UK 1
Alan Johnson · Senior Vice President, Region Manufacturing, Supp… Nissan AMEIO 1
Alasdair McDiarmid · Assistant General Secretary Community 1
Alistair McGirr · Group Head of Policy and Advocacy SSE 1
Allan Bell · Chief Commercial Officer British Steel 1
Andrew Forzani · Government Chief Commercial Officer Cabinet Office 1
Andrew New · Chief Executive Officer NHS Supply Chain 1
Andy Burnham · Mayor of Greater Manchester Greater Manchester Combined Authority 1
Anthony Walker · Deputy Chief Executive Officer Tech UK 1
Arjan Geveke · Director Energy Intensive Users Group 1
Audrey Yvernault · Vice President of Government Affairs GSK 1
Barnaby Kistruck OBE · Director of Industrial Strategy, Prosperity and E… Ministry of Defence 1
Brian Holliday · Managing Director, Digital Industries Siemens UK 1
Chris Daniels · Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Flare Bright 1
Clare Barclay · Chair Industrial Strategy Advisory Council 1
Dame Clare Barclay DBE · Chair Industrial Strategy Advisory Council 1
David Whitehouse · Chief Executive OEUK 1
Howard Dawber · Deputy Mayor, Business and Growth Greater London Authority 1
John Flint · Chief Executive Officer National Wealth Fund 1
John Godfrey · Managing Director for Public Affairs, Policy and … TheCityUK 1
John Howie MBE · Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Babcock International 1
Jon Bolton · Chair Materials Processing Institute 1
Jordan Cummins · Interim Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 1
Kim McGuinness · North East Mayor North East Combined Authority 1
Kitty Ussher · Head of Group Policy Development Barclays 1
Leonie Lambert · Deputy Director, Parliamentary Policy & Strategy Department for Business and Trade 1
Lisa Brankin · Chair and Managing Director Ford of Britain and Ireland 1
Louis Taylor · Chief Executive Officer British Business Bank 1
Louise Kingham CBE · Head of Country, UK BP plc 1
Markus Grüneisl · Chief Executive Officer BMW (UK) Manufacturing Ltd 1
Matt Clifford CBE · Chair Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) 1
Matthew Ogg · Senior Policy Manager Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) 1
Mike Biddle · Executive Director for Net Zero Innovate UK (UKRI) 1
Mike Hawes · Chief Executive Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) 1
Miles Celic · Chief Executive Officer TheCityUK 1
Mr Adam Forgiel-Jenkins · Managing Director of Government Relations BAE Systems 1
Murray Paul · Public Affairs Director Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) 1
Neil Johnson · Director, Materials in the Business Group Department for Business and Trade 1
Oriel Petry · Senior Vice President Airbus UK 1
Showing 40 of 69.

Correspondence

29 letters
DateDirectionTitle
15 Jul 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation relatin…
7 Jul 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Industry relating to energy costs and the Industri…
7 Jul 2026 From cttee Letter to the Minister for Industry relating to progress on the Industrial Stra…
30 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Trade relating to the new steel trade measures, 24…
16 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to steel trade measures, 1…
16 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from UK Steel relating to the Committee's letter to the Secretary of Sta…
12 Jun 2026 From cttee Letter to the Minister for Industry relating to energy costs and the Industrial…
12 Jun 2026 From cttee Letter to the Prime Minister relating to multilateral defence investment, 12 Ju…
9 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation relating to…
9 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Industry relating to the Automotive sector, 1 June…
9 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the Chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council relating to f…
22 May 2026 From cttee Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the UK's steel trade measures, 22 …
20 May 2026 From cttee Letter to the Minister for Small Businesses and Economic Transformation and the…
19 May 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation relatin…
19 May 2026 From cttee Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the Industrial Strategy Bill, 29 A…
19 May 2026 To cttee Letter from Ford of Britain relating to strategic recommendations for the Indus…
19 May 2026 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the introduction of the Steel In…
19 May 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Industry relating to the Government's intention to…
15 Apr 2026 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to an announcement on the Governmen…
8 Sep 2025 To cttee Letter from the Secretaries of State for Business and Trade and for Defence rel…