VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Petrochemicals: Production and Refineries

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 5 June 2026UIN 4040

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support a) domestic refining and b) petrochemical production capacity.

Answered by Martin McCluskey

The Government recognises the critical role UK refineries are playing in ensuring our fuel security and resilience, national security and supporting economic growth and jobs. We also recognise that refineries produce industrial feedstocks critical to other industrial sectors including the petrochemicals sector.

The Government is committed to a long-term future for the UK’s refining sector. We are engaging with them to explore what steps can be taken to further support the sector, including considering the feasibility and impacts of including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in the future, and have recently concluded a call for evidence to shape the UK’s long-term strategy for the downstream oil sector.

The Government is committed to supporting the chemicals sector which is important for our supply chains. We will bring forward a £350m Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund for the chemicals industry to support critical chemicals manufacturing and help decarbonise parts of the sector.

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