BEIS committee: Manufacturing and energy sectors – impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers inquiry continues

On Thursday morning, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee continues its Coronavirus inquiry with an evidence session focusing on the impact on the manufacturing and energy (specifically, electricity and gas supply) sectors and including witnesses from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Make UK, UK Steel, and ADS (the UK aerospace, defence, security and space industries trade body), Energy UK, National Grid ESO, Ofgem and Citizens’ Advice.

The Committee will be exploring issues around the support available and what further medium and long-term measures will be necessary as the country moves out of lockdown and looks to build business resilience for the future.

Evidence session: The impact of coronavirus on business and workers 

Thursday 4th June, 9.30am

This session will be held virtually and will be available to watch on Parliament TV

Witnesses: 

Panel 1 (9.30am)

• Stephen Phipson CBE, Chief Executive, Make UK
• Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
• Paul Everitt, Chief Executive, ADS Group
• Gareth Stace, Director General, UK Steel

Panel 2 (around 10.30am)

• Gillian Cooper, Interim Head of Energy Policy, Citizens Advice;
• Fintan Slye, Executive Director, National Grid ESO
• Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive, Ofgem
• Audrey Gallagher, Interim CEO and Director of Policy, Energy UK

Impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers – terms of reference

The BEIS Committee’s inquiry initially focussed on the immediate impact and support offered to workers and businesses during the coronavirus crisis. Over the coming months, the inquiry will continue to keep a close eye on Government policy and its impact on businesses and workers, including the following key areas: 

·                                  How different sectors and those in different forms of employment are affected by coronavirus; 

·                                  The impact of support schemes and policies announced by the Government, including the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Job Retention Scheme; 

·                                  The likely needs of different sectors over the coming weeks and months, and at each alert level of the pandemic.

On 18th May, Darren Jones Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee  wrote to Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy [letter available via link] to press the Government to respond to a series of concerns around safety in shops and workplaces and to outline the powers it intends to introduce to stop profiteering during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Committee has held sessions on Thursday 14 May with Which?, TUC, and IoD, and a panel of international experts, and also with business representatives (on 17 March) and on the impact on small businesses and the retail sector (30 April). The Committee took evidence from the Secretary of State on 23 April on the Department's response to coronavirus.