Parliament’s penultimate week before summer recess was packed with various significant committee sessions. DeHavilland provided summaries and analysis of these across various sectors. In this week’s blog, our team highlights some of the key developments from these sessions.
Kyle sets out growth and business priorities at business committee
Peter Kyle appeared before the Business and Trade Committee this week. The Business Secretary outlined the Government’s priorities, reaffirming commitments on SME support, procurement, and industrial strategy.
Though many of the specifics are up in the air due to the forthcoming change in government, Kyle claimed that the high street strategy is expected this year. He also emphasised that business rates reform remains a manifesto commitment and that British Steel would enter public ownership if the public interest test was met.
Naturally, all of the above could be up in the air when Andy Burnham replaces Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, meaning that Kyle’s evidence sets a baseline for how far Burnham will veer from the status quo on business.
Ministers continue to defend UK-US pharma deal
Ministers are continuing to defend the UK-US pharmaceutical deal, despite concerns over its costs.
At the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Liz Kendall rejected modelling on excess deaths resulting from the deal, which was published in the BMJ last week.
The Science Secretary argued that incorrect assumptions were made to reach the estimation, such as cuts to NHS frontline services, which she insisted are not happening. Meanwhile, Health Secretary James Murray was also somewhat sceptical about the various modelling scenarios that have been laid out, when questioned by the Health and Social Care Committee.
Despite the current Government holding the line, this may be one area that Burnham’s Government could revisit. With a foreign policy possibly less keen on placating Donald Trump, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Burnham’s team may seek to take another look.
Questions asked of Better Connected strategy
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood faced questions over the Government’s Better Connected strategy.
The Transport Committee heard that the strategy aims to improve transport integration through 40 policy commitments, simpler ticketing, better timetabling, and enhanced collaboration.
Though MPs questioned the lack of clear targets and enforcement mechanisms, Lightwood argued that the strategy provides a flexible framework focused on accessibility, growth, and joined-up journeys.
Electricity market reforms examined by ESNZ committee
This week also saw the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee continue its inquiry into electricity market reform.
Hearing from E.on, National Grid, NESO and others, the committee heard a broad agreement that reducing system costs will require greater use of demand-side flexibility, batteries, and other assets, as well as continued infrastructure investment. Without reforms to market arrangements and faster deployment of network capacity, witnesses warned constraint costs could continue to increase.
Find out more
DeHavilland is always monitoring the developments around UK policy. If you would like to start receiving these updates, start your trial today.
