Tag: Business and Trade Department

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 January 2026.

In a speech to top business leaders the Business Secretary will lay out how the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy will double down on the UK’s world-leading strengths in 2026 and not only scale up businesses, but keep them anchored in the UK.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle will set out his ambition for the UK to go toe to toe on economic growth with the US economy to boost living standards today [Wednesday 14 January].

In a speech to top business leaders including from Alphabet, Meta and Ford at Bloomberg’s London headquarters, he will lay out how the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy will double down on the UK’s world-leading strengths in 2026 and not only scale up businesses, but keep them anchored in the UK.

He is expected to say:

We stood on a manifesto commitment to be the fastest growing economy in the G7. And we absolutely meant it.  

Now, in the first three quarters of last year, the UK achieved the second highest growth of that group. That is cause for optimism. 

But contrast it to the United States. The US achieved 4.3% annualised growth over the last quarter. 

I want to fight tooth and nail with you to get that extra growth. To compete with America.  

I say this because I know what it would mean for families. The impact it would have on people’s wages. On their disposable income. On their living standards.

He is expected to welcome the strong progress the Government has made so far in delivering its Modern Industrial Strategy, with a new quarterly update confirming £79bn of investment commitments and 50,000 well-paid jobs secured in just the last quarter.

He will also confirm the names of three new business leaders to join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council: Amelia Gould (General Manager, Maritime at Helsing), Keith Anderson (CEO, Scottish Power) and Dana Strong (CEO, Sky).

He is expected to say that whilst the Government has made important choices for the long term such as on rail, roads and runways, it must be just as bold at driving growth in the short term:

That means injecting real urgency into delivering our Modern Industrial Strategy.  

Taking risks. Placing the big bets on the industries that we know can win. And win big.

Kyle will also set out the Government’s approach to regulation, such as accepting the findings of the Fingleton Review on nuclear and moving away from “pointless gold plating” of state projects.

To help bring the UK into line with the US’s levels of growth, he will argue that British businesses need help in scaling up to encourage them to stay in Britain. This will include large new investments from the British Business Bank and more firepower for UK Export Finance.

He is expected to say:

Very soon, I will be setting out how we’ll go even further to reduce that regulatory burden and ensure our most promising start-ups don’t need to leave our shores to reach their full potential.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will be doing more – a lot more – to move the dial. To go for growth at every opportunity.

He will highlight the Government’s work to reduce burdens for business since his appointment, including a £230 million reduction in admin costs and energy price support such as the Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, slashing businesses’ energy costs.

The reception comes ahead of the Business Secretary’s attendance at Davos next week where he will engage with business leaders and set out why the UK is truly the best place in the world to invest, with a culture of entrepreneurship, world-class education and certainty for business.

Other attendees at the reception will include the Director Generals of the CBI and BCC, Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, and executives from Heathrow, Blackrock, McKinsey, BP and AstraZeneca.

Industrial Strategy Council Appointments:

• Keith Anderson has been CEO of ScottishPower since 2018. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, Keith was CEO of ScottishPower Renewables and led Iberdrola’s international offshore business. Before joining ScottishPower, Keith worked with some major financial institutions including The Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life, as well as working as a management consultant with E&Y. Keith has an Honorary Degree from Strathclyde University and is an Honorary Fellow of the Energy Institute.
• Amelia Gould CEng FIET is the General Manager, Maritime for Helsing and leads the Group’s work in the maritime domain. Amelia has over 20 years of strategic and operational delivery experience in the global defence sector. She began her career as a Royal Navy Engineering Officer where she served for 11 years before moving into enterprise architecture and then joining BAE Systems, where she held senior technical and leadership roles. She became Managing Director of Helsing UK in 2023, helping build Europe’s leading defence tech company, and is now General Manager Maritime. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IET, she is committed to inspiring future talent through her STEM ambassador work and as Chair of Trustees for FirstUK. She was also a Non-Exec director at Maritime UK Solent for 5 years, promoting maritime innovation across the region.
• Dana Strong is Group Chief Executive of Sky, one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies and part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology group. Dana has managed both cable and satellite businesses around the world and is recognised for her track record for accelerating growth. Before joining Sky, Dana led transformation and growth for many of the world’s largest media and telecommunication companies serving as President of Consumer Services for Comcast Cable, the largest broadband and PayTV operator in the United States; President and Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Media; and Chief Transformation Officer of Liberty Global.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 January 2026.

The Business Secretary has appointed three new business leaders to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.

Today [14 January], Business Secretary Peter Kyle has appointed three new business leaders with a wealth of experience to support key UK sectors, as the government looks to ramp up economic growth and opportunities for people across the country. 

Amelia Gould, Keith Anderson and Dana Strong will join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council – an independent body that advises the government on delivering the Industrial Strategy – to improve the Council’s range of perspectives and understanding of sectors across the UK.  

This comes as the government looks to drive investment into key sectors and deliver the higher living standards and better public services the UK deserves. 

Amelia Gould CEng FIET joins the Council with over 20 years’ experience in the global defence sector. A former Royal Navy Engineering Officer with 11 years’ service, she later moved into enterprise architecture and senior roles at BAE Systems. Amelia became Managing Director of Helsing UK in 2023 and is now General Manager, Maritime. 

Keith Anderson has been CEO of ScottishPower since 2018. He previously led ScottishPower Renewables and Iberdrola’s international offshore business and earlier worked in financial services with RBS and Standard Life, as well as consulting with EY. 

Dana Strong is Group CEO of Sky, one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies within Comcast. Previously, she held senior leadership roles driving growth and transformation at Comcast, Virgin Media, and Liberty Global. 

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Amelia, Keith, and Dana bring extensive business expertise to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, helping strengthen our efforts to drive economic growth and raise living standards for people across the country. 

This Council plays a key role in delivering our modern Industrial Strategy, which is vital in creating the long-term stability and growth we need by hardwiring stability for businesses – giving them the confidence to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond.

The Government has also published the mandate letter setting out the Council’s work programme for 2026. The letter, issued jointly by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, commissions the Council to provide impactful advice and analysis on key delivery priorities over the year. These include driving dynamism in markets alongside boosting skills and access to high quality jobs. 

Dame Clare Barclay DBE, Chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council said:

I’m delighted to welcome Dana, Keith and Amelia to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. Their leadership across creative industries, energy and defence will strengthen our work. Their expertise will be invaluable as we drive forward an industrial strategy focused on growth, innovation and supporting businesses to scale, start and compete.

Dana Strong, CEO of Sky Group said: 

The UK has strong foundations for growth across the whole economy, and I am passionate about supporting UK businesses to scale, innovate and compete internationally. Creating the right conditions for long-term growth and productivity will be central to future prosperity, and I look forward to supporting the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to help secure the UK’s long-term competitiveness.

Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower said:

The UK’s industrial strategy is critical to unlocking investment, pushing productivity, and driving growth.  The Advisory Council has a vital role to play in helping realise that potential and make a long and lasting difference for people the length and breadth of the country. Working together, government and business can turbocharge economic growth and build a better future that offers opportunity, security and prosperity right across the country.

Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing said: 

I’m delighted to join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and draw on my experience across defence, engineering and advanced technology to support the Government’s growth mission. I look forward to supporting the UK’s industrial capability and long‑term resilience

Notes to Editors:

• You can read the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council Mandate letter here.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 30 December 2025.

On 11 December 2025, the UK hosted the fourth edition of the annual dialogue between the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the French Direction générale des Entreprises (DGE). 

Initiated in 2023, this bilateral dialogue brings together public sector leaders and policy experts to identify opportunities to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration. The fourth edition was led by Amanda Brooks CBE, Director General at DBT, and Thomas Courbe, Director General at DGE, alongside representatives from the British Embassy in Paris and the French Embassy in London.  

This year a key theme was the Industrial Strategy Partnership, agreed between the UK and France in July 2025. This Partnership strengthens collaboration in the Industrial Strategy high-growth sectors such as clean energy, critical minerals, and digital technologies including AI. The dialogue saw both parties commit to intensify collaboration and the sharing of practices in SME AI adoption and in economic security.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 11 December 2025.

Government’s first steer to the Trade Remedies Authority to make trade defence system simpler and faster for UK producers and manufacturers.

• Business Secretary sets new direction to make the UK’s trade defence system simpler, faster and more responsive to business needs, delivering on the Trade Strategy
• UK producers and manufacturers, including SMEs, to benefit from streamlined investigations, and more support from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), and a new Import Monitoring Tool to help identify risks
• New powers bring UK trade remedies into line with international peers, with greater discretion to impose higher duties under certain circumstances, and initiate cases under WTO rules

UK producers and manufacturers will benefit from a simpler and faster system for tackling unfair trade practices, as the Government issues its first strategic steer to the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), delivering commitments set out in the Trade Strategy.

These reforms mean UK producers – from industry giants in steel and ceramics to SMEs – will have clearer routes and more support to raise concerns with the TRA, the independent body that investigates unfair trade practices.

By listening to industry needs, the steer will ensure faster decisions when unfair trade practices are identified and more support to access protections to safeguard jobs and investment.

Producers still need to apply to the TRA and provide evidence, but the TRA is making this far easier. Through the new Advisory Service, launched in July, the TRA offers tailored guidance —helping firms navigate technical trade rules, horizon scanning for risks, and publishing trade data and research to support companies with faster, high-quality applications. These changes will ensure consistent support throughout a case and significantly reduce the administrative burden on businesses.

Today, the TRA is going further with publication of their import monitoring analysis tool, which highlights trade patterns of data that may warrant further investigation. The TRA will work hand in hand with businesses to assess the data and identify risks of negative impacts on UK producers.

By equipping the TRA with the tools to act decisively, the Government is ensuring the UK’s trade remedies system supports growth, strengthens competitiveness, and helps businesses thrive in global markets.

Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

“We are strengthening the UK’s system for tackling unfair trade to give our producers and manufacturers – especially SMEs who have less capacity and capability– the backing they need to grow and compete.

“By streamlining processes and aligning our framework with international peers, we are ensuring UK industry has the tools to protect jobs, attract investment and thrive in a changing global economy.”

The latest Finance Bill introduces changes to make the UK’s trade remedies system more flexible and aligned with international peers like the EU and Australia.

These reforms will give the Government more options – within WTO rules – when setting duty levels or starting new cases. This means decisions can be made in a way that better supports UK businesses.

The TRA’s Co-Chief Executives Jessica Blakely and Carmen Suarez said:

“We welcome the government’s strategic steer, which marks a significant milestone in our shared goal to make the UK’s trade remedies regime more agile, accessible and assertive, as well as providing greater accountability. 

“Further to our work to date, including the recently launched Trade Remedies Advisory Service and the Import Trends Monitor, we will continue to focus on delivering more efficiently and effectively on our mission to defend the UK economic interests against unfair international trade practices.”

Industry voices across all sectors have welcomed the reforms as a vital step in making the trade remedies system faster and easier to navigate.

Rob Flello, Ceramics UK said:

“We are delighted that the Business Secretary has listened to us as the voice of UK ceramics manufacturers and made the system more responsive and easier to navigate.

“At a time when the highest quality products made in Britain are under threat like never before from unfair dumping and other sharp practices by overseas competitors, this is very welcome news.”

Notes to editors

• Legislative changes announced in the Finance Bill will only take effect once approved by Parliament through the usual bill process and further secondary legislation. These reforms are separate from measures to improve speed and accessibility, and the new powers are expected to be used in limited circumstances.
• The TRA is the independent UK government body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 11 December 2025.

Small businesses across the UK will benefit from new Government funding and support to help them invest in sustainability, to cut their operating costs and boost their business.

• Government announces £2 million funding boost to help more SMEs cut costs
• Funding is part of a range of new measures to support small business growth, in the Government’s response to the Willow Review
• 67% of SMEs who adopted sustainable practices like installing solar panels reported reduced costs

Small businesses across the UK will benefit from new Government funding and support to help them invest in sustainability, to cut their operating costs and boost their business.

This includes an additional £2 million in funding via the ‘Made Smarter Adoption Programme’ specifically to help SMEs lower their bills and become more energy efficient through investment in technology in areas like heating, insulation and solar power.

This forms part of the Government’s response to the Willow Review Report, which found that 67% of SMEs who adopted sustainable practices, like installing solar panels or selling energy back to the grid, reported reduced operational costs – a clear return on investment.

The Willow Review report, published earlier this year, is an independent government-backed report spearheaded by Small Business Britain and supported by Barclays. It aims to unlock the economic opportunity of sustainability for the UK’s 5.7 million small and medium sized businesses.

Blair McDougall, Minister for Small Business, said:

Investing in sustainability is good for growth, cutting costs, and saving SMEs money to spend on growing their business.

That is why, as part of our Plan for Small Business, we are supporting SMEs through measures including brand new funding and an improved support offer via the Business Growth Service.

Katie White, Minister for Climate, said:

Clean energy is the economic opportunity of the 21st century and we are ensuring small business have the tools they need to take advantage of clean technologies and energy efficiency.

The Willow Review recommendations will help the small businesses that power Britain unlock the financial benefits of sustainability, as we accelerate towards net zero.

The Government’s response is part of wider work to support small businesses to transition to net zero, to save them costs.

This includes schemes like the Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial, which is giving 600 small hospitality businesses free energy usage and assessments of how to reduce their emissions and bills. This will deliver savings of over £3 million for businesses while also preventing 2,700 tonnes of carbon pollution over a year – the equivalent of around 1,600 return flights from London to New York

As well as the mass roll out of smart meters to small businesses across the country, helping millions of consumers manage their energy use so that they can improve their efficiency and save money on bills.

Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain, said:

We are delighted to see such a positive and practical response to the Willow Review. This is a strong step towards helping SMEs turn sustainability into new opportunities and better growth, benefitting not only the businesses, but also the wider economy.

We look forward to continuing working with the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure small businesses can fully make the most of the opportunities that sustainability brings.

Abdul Qureshi, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, said:

We are pleased to see this support being made available to help more small businesses build resiliency, reduce costs, and unlock growth opportunities from the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Both the public and private sector have important roles to play in achieving this, and as a leading lender to UK SMEs, we are focused on fulfilling that role through initiatives such as our Green Loans for Business and our recently announced joint partnership with Sustainable Ventures to support UK climate innovators through The National Climate Tech Accelerator.

Recognising that growth, innovation, and sustainability can go hand-in-hand, the response forms part of the Government’s Plan for Small Business, the most substantial package of support for the UK’s 5.7 million SMEs in a generation, helping unleash their full potential, to create jobs and grow the economy.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 24 November 2025.

The Government launches a consultation on the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to cut electricity bills for 7,000 manufacturers and boost finance access with a £4 billion British Business Bank plan.

• Business Secretary sets out vision for optimism and economic growth at keynote speech to CBI’s annual conference.
• Government powers ahead with slashing electricity costs for over 7,000 British businesses by up to 25%.
• British Business Bank to improve access to finance and increase its pace of investment with focus on Industrial Strategy sectors.

Over 7,000 British businesses will see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25 percent, alongside increased support on access to finance for high potential firms, as Government takes bold action to tackle the biggest issues facing British businesses.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle will set out his big and bold offer of enhanced support in a keynote speech to a room of bosses from some of the UK’s top firms at the CBI Conference in London.

He will announce the launch of an 8-week consultation for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) that will determine eligibility and deliver one of the key promises in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

The scheme will cut energy prices for thousands of businesses, from April 2027, in high growth industries like automotive and aerospace and foundational sectors in their supply chains, like chemicals. British industrial electricity prices are currently some of the highest in the G7, making it harder for British firms to compete on the global stage.

He will also address another major concern among bosses who struggle to secure access to finance in order to grow and scale up their business. The Business Secretary will today back a new five-year plan for the Government-owned British Business Bank, ensuring it can invest larger amounts in successful domestic scale-ups, who currently have to look overseas for finance.

This will increase the Bank’s pace of investment by two thirds, with a £4 billion boost for the most promising businesses in Industrial Strategy sectors to scale up and stay here. Over five years, the Bank’s total activities are projected to support 180,000 UK businesses, 370,000 new jobs, and add £68 billion of gross value added to the UK. economy.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

In recent years, our most promising innovators and industries have been hamstrung by some of the highest electricity prices in the G7 and poor access to finance. That’s been a drag anchor on growth. A drag anchor on innovation. 

I have listened to business on both these issues and today we’re taking action. This is just the start, and in the months ahead I will be going further to address business concerns, reverse our industrial decline and make the UK the best place to start and scale a business.

High energy prices have consistently been raised as one of the top issues for businesses. 65% of respondents in Make UK and PWC’s 2025 Executive survey said high energy costs reduce their ability to compete and that it is a ‘dominant concern for manufacturers’, whilst 64% of businesses in the latest business confidence survey from the Adam Smith Institute said high energy costs are a ‘major concern’.

Now, the support provided through BICS will help level the playing field for thousands of companies, delivering on the central aim of the modern Industrial Strategy to back Britain’s leading sectors to attract new investment and deliver economic growth across all regions of the UK as part of the Plan for Change.

The scheme will support hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs across the country, reducing eligible companies’ bills by around £35-£40 per megawatt hour, or up to 25 percent.

By bearing down on costs across the energy system, we expect to deliver BICS and ensure that the scheme is delivered in line with our wider priorities to deliver affordable power for businesses and households. For example, the proposals in DESNZ’s recent consultations on RO/FiT indexation, if implemented, could contribute to that goal.

BICS follows the uplift to the discount on electricity costs provided through the British Industry Supercharger scheme announced just last month, which will launch in 2026 and increase the discount on electricity network charges faced by businesses in sectors like steel, cement and glass from 60 to 90 percent.

Louise Hellem, CBI Chief Economist, said:

Businesses have long warned that soaring energy prices are not just a cost burden, they’re an investment barrier. This consultation marks another welcome step forward in tackling a significant drag on economic growth.

Supporting firms to electrify is also critical to accelerating the energy transition and safeguarding the UK’s industrial competitiveness.

Government must now move quickly, in partnership with industry and energy suppliers, to set clear eligibility rules, delivery mechanisms and funding streams to close the industrial electricity price gap between the UK and its G7 peers.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:

We welcome the Government’s commitment to tackling high industrial energy costs and improving access to finance, recognising the importance of these issues particularly for our aerospace sector. ADS called for action in its Autumn Budget submission and today’s measures are a positive step forward.

There is no doubt that the business environment remains challenging and we look forward to working with Government to shape these interventions and address wider cost pressures. Continuing this momentum into the new year will be vital for ensuring UK industry stays competitive.

Ben Martin, Policy Manager, British Chambers of Commerce said:

This scheme is a positive step forward and will provide vital support to businesses in energy intensive industries. This consultation, to determine eligibility, is a key part of the process and will provide certainty for firms in understanding future costs for the coming years.

Notes to editors

• The scheme applies to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) only, since energy policy is largely devolved in Northern Ireland.
• The consultation launched today will close on 19 January, and government will then publish its response to the consultation within 12 weeks of this date.
• Eligible businesses must operate in frontier manufacturing industries within the government’s eight priority sectors or in foundational manufacturing industries supplying those frontier industries and meet the required level of electricity intensity.
• BICS will provide eligible manufacturing businesses with exemptions from the indirect cost of the Renewables Obligation (RO), Feed-In Tariffs (FIT) and Capacity Market (CM) schemes, to reduce cost pressures and support the long-term viability of our most strategically important industries.
• PWC / Make UK: Executive Survey 2025, A Strategy for Growth – Risk and Opportunities
• Adam Smith Institute Business Confidence Survey 2025.
• The British Business Bank’s 5-year plan is available here: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/about/research-and-publications/five-year-strategic-plan.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 28 October 2025.

Update following round 8 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland.

The eighth round of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Switzerland took place in Switzerland between 20 and 24 October 2025. 

Economic growth is our first mission in government and trade agreements have an important role to play in achieving this. An enhanced trade agreement with Switzerland could support British businesses, back British jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets. 

Services will be at the heart of a new agreement, reflecting around £28 billion services trade between our two countries in everything from finance and consultancy to legal and transport.  The trading relationship supported 130,000 services jobs across the UK in 2020. 

Switzerland is the UK’s 10th biggest trading partner and the UK-Swiss trade relationship was worth more than £45 billion in 2024. Services exports account for more than £18 billion of the trading relationship, making Switzerland the UK’s 6th largest services export partner. 

An enhanced FTA with Switzerland aims to deliver long-term certainty for UK services firms, by locking in access to the Swiss market, guaranteeing the free flow of data and cementing business travel arrangements. 

Negotiations concluded on competition issues during the round, promoting open and fair competition for UK firms at home and in Switzerland. 

Next Steps on FTA negotiations 

Round 9 of negotiations on the FTA is set to take place in the UK in early 2026.  

The government is focussed on securing outcomes in an enhanced FTA that boost economic growth for the UK and Ministers will continue to update Parliament on the progress of negotiations. 

The government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns with the UK’s national interests, upholding our high standards across a range of sectors, alongside protections for the National Health Service.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 October 2025.

Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth.

• Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth 
• New public dashboard will allow businesses to review how regulators are performing and give direct feedback to government, holding regulators to account  
• Independent reviews to scrutinise key regulators and recommend improvements  

A major shake-up of accountability and transparency for UK regulators will be set out today (Tuesday 21 October) to support businesses and remove obstacles to economic growth. 

A key part of this will be a stronger growth duty, cementing growth as a guiding principle for regulators, encouraging proportionate, business friendly regulation. Today, the Government will set out how these changes will ensure investment and innovation can thrive without compromising essential protections at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham. 

A new dashboard which will allow the public to scrutinise regulator’s performance will also be announced.   

The new Gov.uk site will be updated every quarter to empower firms, improve scrutiny, and create more responsive enforcement of regulation. It will collate performance data across key regulators in one place, as well as enabling direct feedback on regulator performance and service delivery.  

Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

“We will use every lever we have to grow the UK economy to boost business, create jobs, put money back in people’s pockets and pay for good public services. 

“By stripping back unnecessary rules and pointless paperwork we will free business to grow while ensuring vital protections are enforced. Creating a stronger growth a duty for regulators is a key part of this while greater transparency will ensure that they can be held to account.  

“Getting the balance of regulation right is key to achieving economic growth. This will help to back the UK’s businesses, creating jobs and growing the economy as part of our Plan for Change.”  

Government has been working with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to put the competition watchdog on a more pro-growth footing, setting out a strategic steer on how the government expects the CMA to support and contribute to growth. Government has heard how changes such as this and their new “4Ps” approach are helping to increase business confidence to invest in the UK. 

The reforms announced will help ensure that all key regulators have more clarity from government about how to align with its overriding mission to deliver economic growth, and stronger accountability to the government and the public.  

In the coming weeks, the Business Secretary / Ministers will also meet with watchdog bosses, including the likes of Ofcom, Ofgem and the CMA, as part of a Regulator Council to develop a shared understanding of how regulators can support growth.  

This week, the Treasury and Department for Business and Trade will be outlining further measures as part of its Regulatory Action Plan to reduce business burdens.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 October 2025.

Hundreds of jobs in the West Midlands are set to be created after almost £800m of investment was announced at today’s Regional Investment Summit.

• £635 million of private investment for West Midlands announced at Regional Investment Summit, with huge boost to sectors including AI, pharma, dairy and real estate.
• New £125m skills and housing package from Combined Authority, to train 12,000 construction workers and to deliver 1,000 social homes.
• Birmingham Sports Quarter investment to deliver transformational 14,000 new jobs and £700 million boost to the region’s economy, updated data shows.

Hundreds of jobs in the West Midlands are set to be created after almost £800m of investment was announced at today’s Regional Investment Summit, cementing the West Midlands as a powerhouse for investment and turbocharging growth into the region.

The huge announcement follows the Regional Investment Summit held in Birmingham today where over 350 business leaders, investors and local mayors met to announce £10 billion of new investment for key growth sectors around the UK, delivering on the Plan for Change to create new jobs and opportunities for people in every region.

Investments in the West Midlands include Hines and Woodbourne Group announcing a £400 million investment to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, a centrepiece of the West Midlands Investment Zone, driving innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region. Blackstone will invest £200m to ensure the NEC remains the UK’s leading live events business with world class venues across exhibitions, conventions and arenas.

Building on the UK-India free trade agreement, Indian parent company of Freshway Dairy will also invest £25 million in building a new processing facility in West Bromwich, creating at least 200 new jobs and allowing them to process 25% more milk.

In a boost to the Industrial Strategy, the Government is also announcing that Sterling Pharmaceuticals will receive a share of £30m of Life Sciences funding, which will help them build a 60,000 sq ft centre in Birmingham, creating 48 jobs and boosting UK production of medicines  for the NHS and sales overseas. To boost the digital sector, Atos is announcing £10m for AI centres, cementing the Midlands role as a key hub and creating 50 jobs.

In further good news for the region, the West Midlands Combined Authority has confirmed a £75m skills package to train over 12,000 people in construction trades and technical roles over three years. Backed by WMCA and government funding, the initiative supports a regional construction boom driven by major housing, transport, retrofit, and regeneration projects.

£40 million will also be made available by the WMCA to accelerate delivery of 1,000 new social rent homes across the region. The funding unlocks properties ready or under construction, building on 750 affordable homes already secured.

Earlier success for the region this year includes Knighthead announcing plans to invest at least £3 billion in a new Sports Quarter in Birmingham, which will feature a new 62,000-capacity stadium, new sporting facilities as well as entertainment and residential spaces and create 14,000 jobs – up from initial projections of 10,000. New data shows the Quarter will transform the region’s economy, with a £700 million boost to growth. Birmingham Airpor t will invest £300 million over four years to upgrade baggage, immigration, retail, and airfield infrastructure, boosting growth.

This latest vote of confidence follows Britain becoming the most attractive place to invest in the world according to a survey from Deloitte.

Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary said:

The West Midlands is a thriving business hub, and these funding announcements are a major vote of confidence in our economy and demonstrate how our modern Industrial Strategy is helping to secure the investment we need to deliver growth in the West Midlands.

This huge boost to the region shows our Plan for Change is working in encouraging more companies to invest here, creating new jobs and exciting opportunities for local communities in the West Midlands.

Jason Stockwood, Minister for Investment said:

The West Midlands is a powerhouse for foreign direct investment, and today’s announcements at the Summit cements the region’s position as a top destination to do business.

Our modern Industrial Strategy is giving investors the confidence they need to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond – helping to create economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said:

The first-ever Regional Investment Summit in the West Midlands has been a huge success. It’s given us the platform to showcase our innovation, talent, and can-do approach – and it’s already paying off, with world-class businesses like Knighthead Capital, Freshways and Atos choosing to invest, drive growth and create jobs.

The Government is backing us with new funding and new powers to go further and faster. I’m determined to make sure everyone shares in the opportunities this brings – building prosperity that reaches every community. The time to invest in the West Midlands is now.

Today’s announcements at the Regional Investment Summit builds on recent landmark trade deals struck with the US and India and the launch of the modern Industrial Strategy in the summer, helping to hardwire stability for investors looking to invest in the UK.

Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off as part of our Plan for Change.  

Bali Nijjar, Freshways Managing Director said: 

Our £25m investment in West Bromwich will deliver 200 new jobs, from engineers to food safety technicians, and deliver one of the most efficient dairy processing plants in Europe, capable of processing 500 million litres of fresh British milk a year.

The West Midlands is a key strategic location for Freshways, providing access to national transport networks and skilled job seekers. It’s also good news for our British dairy farmers and our customers as we’ll be able to process 25% more fresh milk from the new site, helping us keep up with growing demand. We’re working around the clock to get things ready and hope to have the site fully operational by the end of the year.

Michael Herron, Head of Atos UK&I, said:

Atos is delighted to invest in the Midlands, establishing new technology centres that will help drive digital innovation and create opportunities for local talent. Our commitment reflects the region’s growing reputation as a national hub for AI and digital transformation, and we look forward to supporting businesses and communities as they embrace the benefits of new technology.

List of West Midlands investments announced in today’s Regional Investment Summit:

• Hines, a global real estate firm, in partnership with Woodbourne Group, have announced a £400 million investment to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, a centrepiece of the West Midlands Investment Zone, driving innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region.
• Blackstone owned National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham has announced a new public commitment to invest £200 million over the next decade. The investment will support a modernisation programme to ensure that it remains the UK’s leading live events business with world class venues across exhibitions, conventions and arenas.
• Atos, a leading provider of AI-powered digital transformation, has announced a new £10 million investment in the Midlands, unveiling two flagship technology centres that will cement the region’s role at the heart of the UK’s AI-led digital future and creating 50 jobs.
• Freshways is investing £25 million in a cutting-edge dairy hub in West Bromwich, creating at least 200 jobs. The facility will process 500 million litres of British milk annually, making it one of the UK’s most advanced and efficient dairy operations.
• Sterling Pharmaceuticals will build a 60,000 sq ft centre in Birmingham, creating 48 jobs and boosting UK production of generic medicines for the NHS and export, following a share of £30m from the Government’s Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund.
• The West Midlands Combined Authority has unveiled a £75 million skills package to train over 12,000 people in construction trades and technical roles over three years. Backed by WMCA and government funding, the initiative supports a regional construction boom driven by major housing, transport, retrofit, and regeneration projects.
• The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a £40 million Social Housing Accelerator Fund to deliver 1,000 new social rent homes across the West Midlands. The funding unlocks properties ready or under construction, building on 750 affordable homes already secured.

Recent Investments in the region:

• Knighthead will invest at least £3 billion in a new Sports Quarter in Birmingham which will feature a 62,000-capacity stadium with a retractable pitch, a dedicated women’s stadium, indoor arena, training grounds, and residential and entertainment spaces. The development is expected to create around 14,000 jobs, transforming the derelict site into a major sporting and cultural hub and generate £700m of growth for the region.
• Birmingham Airport will invest £300 million over four years to upgrade baggage, immigration, retail, and airfield infrastructure. Millions will also be directed toward sustainable growth, including solar energy and efficient terminal systems. A new Masterplan process will forecast growth beyond 2040, building on strong passenger demand.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 October 2025.

UK Trade Envoy Matt Western MP visits Cambodia to strengthen trade and investment ties and support Cambodia’s sustainable economic development.

Phnom Penh, 20–21 October 2025 – The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, Matt Western MP, is visiting Cambodia to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties and supporting Cambodia’s sustainable economic development. The visit builds on momentum under the UK–Cambodia Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF), the main platform for bilateral coordination and private-sector engagement.  

During his visit, Mr Western will attend the inauguration of Techo International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project designed by UK firm Foster + Partners, symbolising the UK’s contribution to Cambodia’s connectivity and long-term growth. 

He will also meet with Cambodian ministers to follow up on Cambodia’s trade policy and discussions will include regional trade architecture, notably developments around the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership, and how Cambodia and the UK can strengthen cooperation on regional trade integration. 

Mr Western will meet with British businesses operating in Cambodia to highlight their contribution to job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth. He will also engage UK education institutions active in Cambodia to discuss their role in developing skills, improving employability, social mobility, and supporting inclusive growth.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Matt Western MP said:   

It is a real privilege to be in Cambodia at such a significant moment. Attending the inauguration of Techo International Airport is not only a celebration of progress, it’s a powerful symbol of what UK-Cambodia partnership can achieve. I am delighted that British design and expertise have contributed to a project that will make a lasting impression on every visitor to Cambodia, and which rightly invokes feelings of such national pride among our Cambodian friends.  

I look forward to building on this momentum, engaging with Cambodian leaders and British businesses during my visit to celebrate our strong commercial partnership and to unlock new opportunities to support sustainable growth and shared prosperity and deliver benefits to the people of both our countries.

This visit reflects the UK’s enduring partnership to support Cambodia’s transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and its efforts to promote green and inclusive growth. It also aligns with the UK’s broader ambition to deepen economic ties across the Indo-Pacific region, recognising ASEAN’s central role in fostering regional trade and investment.  

The UK remains committed to working closely with Cambodian partners to promote mutual prosperity and unlock new trade opportunities for both nations.   

Note to Editors

• Matt Western MP is the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. His role is to promote UK trade and investment interests and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
• Mr Western is expected to meet Minister of Commerce, Her Excellency Cham Nimul, during his visit.
• He will visit a British-owned garment factory, and major employer, Dewhirst.  Dewhirst manufacture clothing for high-profile international brands, including Marks & Spencer and Nike.
• During the visit, Mr Western will also engage with the CPTPP Taskforce, appointed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, to exchange views on regional trade architecture, including developments around the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and explore opportunities for deeper regional trade integration.
• Mr Western will attend a UK funded conference on Regulatory Reform and host a networking cocktail with British businesses and senior Cambodian figures.
• The Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is the UK’s flagship trade preference programme designed to support developing economies by reducing tariffs and simplifying trading rules.
• Cambodia is one of the key beneficiaries of the scheme, which offers duty-free access to over 99% of goods exported to the UK, helping Cambodian businesses grow, diversify exports, and compete globally.
• The DCTS reflects the UK’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable trade, supporting economic development, job creation, and poverty reduction in partner countries.