VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Manufacturing Industries: Investment

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 18 March 2026UIN 119877

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage investment in high-technology manufacturing across the UK.

Answered by Chris McDonald

Our Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan published last June set out how we are supporting UK manufacturers to grow and thrive. Commitments include up to £4.3 billion funding for frontier manufacturing sectors through programmes such as DRIVE35, Aerospace Technology Institute and the Battery Innovation Programme, as well as £4 billion growth capital available from the British Business Bank and £27.8 billion from the National Wealth Fund to help manufacturing business access the finance they need to invest and expand. We have also expanded our Office for Investment, targeting investors in high growth potential sectors including advanced manufacturing.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim