Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

Budget · 2025/26

Industrial strategy, trade policy and trade negotiations, business support schemes, the Post Office, the Insolvency Service and sectoral subsidies for steel, automotive and semiconductors. The £2.5 billion British Steel arrangement in 2025/26 sits inside this line. Since the July 2026 reshuffle it also carries the science and innovation budget absorbed from the abolished DSIT, dominated by UK Research and Innovation (the £8.8 billion umbrella funding the research councils, Innovate UK and Research England) plus the space programme, artificial intelligence and the £1 billion Horizon and Copernicus contributions. That absorption of R&D, once owned by another department, is what makes this line far larger than its historical size.

Grants · 2024-25

Source: Cabinet Office, Government grants register 2024 to 2025 (official statistics, published on GOV.UK). Includes grants paid by the department and the agencies and bodies it funds. Amounts are what was paid out in the financial year. Government withholds some recipients’ names for sensitivity reasons, and grants to individuals are not named here.

Agencies & Arm's Length Bodies (29)

• British Hallmarking Council (BHC)

  We supervise the hallmarking activities of the 4 UK Assay Offices to ensure there is adequate provision of hallmarking within the UK.

• Central Arbitration Committee (CAC)

  We encourage fair and efficient arrangements in the workplace by resolving collective disputes in England, Scotland and Wales, either by voluntary agreement or, if necessary, through a legal decision.

• Certification Officer

  The Certification Officer (CO) and his team ensure that trade unions and employers’ associations carry out their statutory duties.

• Companies House

  We incorporate and dissolve limited companies. We register company information and make it available to the public. Companies House is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science…

• Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

  We promote competition and protect consumers with a clear end goal, economic growth and household prosperity. CMA is a non ministerial department.

• Copyright Tribunal

  The Copyright Tribunal aims to resolve UK commercial licensing disputes between copyright owners or their agents (collective management organisations) and people who use copyright material in their business.

• Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU)

  The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) administers the UK’s system of export controls and licensing for military and dual use items. ECJU is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Fair Work Agency (FWA)

  The Fair Work Agency acts to protect workers, support fair competition and ensure employers comply with the law. FWA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Government Chemist

  We resolve scientific disputes mainly in the food and feed sectors, give advice to regulators and industry, and carry out research.

• Government Office for Science (GO-Science)

  The Government Office for Science’s mission is to put excellent science advice at the heart of decision making. GO Science works with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT)

  GOTT helps accelerate government’s innovations towards the market, to impact growth and deliver new products and services for citizens. GOTT is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Intellectual Property Office (IPO)

  The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.

• Low Pay Commission (LPC)

  The Low Pay Commission is an independent body that advises the government about the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage.

• Office for Investment

  The Office for Investment (OfI) is a joint unit of HM Treasury, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street.

• Office for Life Sciences (OLS)

  The Office for Life Sciences champions research, innovation and the use of technology to transform health and care service.

• Office for Product Safety and Standards

  Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.

• Office for Responsible Business Conduct (ORBC)

  We promote and uphold responsible and sustainable business practices. ORBC is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Office for the Pay Review Bodies (OPRB)

  The Office for the Pay Review Bodies provides an independent secretariat to 8 Pay Review Bodies which make recommendations impacting 2.5 million workers, around 45% of public sector staff, and a pay bill of £100…

• Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (CIC Regulator)

  The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies decides whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a community interest company (CIC).

• Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI)

  The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), part of the Department for Business and Trade, was launched in October 2024.

• Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO)

  The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) updates regulation, speeds up approval times and ensures regulatory bodies work together effectively. RIO is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC)

  We provide independent expert advice to the UK government to create better regulation, reduce unnecessary burdens on business and support economic growth.

• Research Collaboration Advice Team (RCAT)

  We provide advice to research institutions on the national security risks linked to international research. RCAT is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• Small Business Commissioner (SBC)

  We ensure fair payment practices for Britain’s 5.5 million small businesses, and support them in resolving their payment disputes with larger businesses.

• The Insolvency Service

  We are a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.

• Trade Remedies Authority

  The Trade Remedies Authority exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices. We investigate whether new trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries caused by unfair trading…

• UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS)

  The UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) is a collaborative forum through which government, the tech community and the third sector work together to ensure the UK is the safest place in the world to be online.

• UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE)

  We help UK defence, cyber and physical security companies to export, and help overseas defence companies invest in the UK. UKDSE is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

• UK Space Agency

  The UK Space Agency sets the national direction on space. The UK Space Agency is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade .

Press Releases (20)

1. Stronger protections for pregnant women and new parents against unfair dismissalDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 22 Oct 2026
2. New action on redress for postmasters affected by Post Office scandalsDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 22 Oct 2026
3. Over 100,000 job and training opportunities a year to give young people a route into Britain’s growth industries as part of industrial strategyDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 19 Oct 2026
4. World-first mission puts UK expertise to work to help clean up spaceDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 15 Oct 2026
5. New action to crackdown on bogus self-employment loopholes Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 14 Oct 2026
6. Businesses set to be protected from Argentinian economic coercionDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 13 Oct 2026
7. Quantum firms backed to keep railways running and cut waiting lists as UK harnesses potential of future techDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 13 Oct 2026
8. India trade mission unlocks hundreds of UK jobs and new dealsDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 12 Oct 2026
9. Brits to benefit from faster recovery from surgeries and better harvests through new backing for roboticsDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 9 Oct 2026
10. First ever UK-Germany tech corridor unlocks investment, jobs and opportunity for British businessDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 8 Oct 2026
11. Applications open for scheme to slash electricity bills for over 10,000 manufacturersDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 30 Sept 2026
12. New lithium mine in Cornwall to unlock Britain’s industrial potential and support skilled jobsDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 27 Sept 2026
13. Bentley announcement sees £1bn invested in UK automotive sector in just 7 daysDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 24 Sept 2026
14. ‘I want steelmaking to thrive’: Minister tells revamped Steel CouncilDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 23 Sept 2026
15. UK and Singapore launch negotiations for new agreement on pharmaceutical goods manufacturingDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 23 Sept 2026
16. No one should have to fight for time to grieve” - New rights for family bereavement and pregnancy lossDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 21 Sept 2026
17. Government moves to acquire Speciality Steel UKDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 14 Sept 2026
18. New space strategy will bolster UK defences against threats from spaceDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 8 Sept 2026
19. Firms freed from ‘pen-pushing paperwork’ and costly red tape in business reporting overhaulDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 6 Sept 2026
20. “Short-changing staff isn't a shortcut to success” - Nearly 660 employers announced as failing to pay the minimum wageDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · 3 Sept 2026

Reports (2)

1. Capture Victims Must Clear Their Names Before CompensationPostmasters convicted in Capture cases get no compensation unless their convictions are quashed, and the Post Office is contesting the appeals.Investigation · 24 Oct 2026Continue to full article
2. Britain Keeps £944m Tech Tax Despite Trump's Tariff ThreatBritain's digital services tax raised £944m last year. Trump's threatened 100 per cent tariff has still not been imposed.Investigation · Trade · 30 Jun 2026Continue to full article

Ministerial directions (17)

Spending the department’s accounting officer objected to, and a minister ordered to go ahead.

1. Government supports Jaguar Land Rover through provision of a guarantee for a commercial loan

   Given 26 September 2025 · Peter Kyle

   Department at the time: UK Export Finance, Department for Business and Trade

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

2. British Steel

   Given 12 April 2025 · Jonathan Reynolds

   Department at the time: Department for Business and Trade

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

3. Coronavirus: Future Fund

   Given 19 May 2020 · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

4. Coronavirus: Bounce Back Loan Scheme

   Given 1 May 2020 · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

5. Coronavirus: Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund

   Given 1 May 2020 · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

6. Coronavirus: small businesses grant fund

   Published 28 April 2020. Date the direction was given is not shown on the published letter. · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

7. Coronavirus: support fund for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses

   Published 28 April 2020. Date the direction was given is not shown on the published letter. · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

8. Coronavirus: Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

   Given 16 April 2020 · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

9. Coronavirus: changes to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

   Given 2 April 2020 · Alok Sharma

   Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

   Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter · Accounting officer's letter

10. Coronavirus: Business Interruption Loan Scheme

    Given 22 March 2020 · Alok Sharma

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

11. British Steel: continuation of Official Receiver’s indemnity

    Given 11 November 2019 · Andrea Leadsom

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

12. Trade Remedies Authority (TRA): DIT ministerial direction

    Published 4 April 2018. Date the direction was given is not shown on the published letter. · Dr Liam Fox

    Department at the time: Department for International Trade

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

13. EU exit preparations: BEIS ministerial direction

    Given 11 March 2018 · Greg Clark

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

14. Support for SSI steelworks apprentices

    Given 28 October 2015 · Sajid Javid

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

15. Royal Mail employee share gift: second ministerial direction

    Given 13 October 2015 · Sajid Javid

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

16. Royal Mail employee share gift

    Given 15 June 2015 · Sajid Javid

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

17. Funding of Hatfield Colliery Partnership

    Given 13 January 2015 · Vince Cable

    Department at the time: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

    Minister's direction · Accounting officer's letter

Every ministerial direction, all departments →

Major projects (4)

The department’s projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio, as reported each March. 4 are in the March 2026 report. Each year’s cost is shown with its price basis; costs are not compared between years, because only March 2026 states one.

1. AUTOMOTIVE TRANSFORMATION FUND (ATF)

   BEIS_0090_2122-Q4 · Earlier name: Automotive Transformation Fund (March 2024)

   Data as at	Rating	End date	Whole-life cost
   March 2024	Amber (the department's own assessment)	31 March 2025	£671m (price basis not stated)
   March 2025	Amber (the department's own assessment)	Low: 31/03/2025, Mid: 31/03/2025, High: 31/03/2025	£671m (price basis not stated)
   March 2026	Green (the department's own assessment)	Not given	£702.72m (in 2024/25 prices)

   The department’s commentary →

2. Drive 35

   DBT_0295_2526-Q2

   Data as at	Rating	End date	Whole-life cost
   March 2026	Green (the department's own assessment)	30 April 2030	£1,841.78m (in 2024/25 prices)

   The department’s commentary →

3. POST OFFICE - TRANSFORMATION

   DBT_0293_2324-Q3 · Earlier name: POST OFFICE - NEW IT SYSTEM (March 2025)

   Data as at	Rating	End date	Whole-life cost
   March 2025	The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information	The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information	The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information
   March 2026	Amber (NISTA's independent assessment)	Low: 31/03/2030, Mid: 31/03/2032, High: 31/03/2031	£1,553.73m (in 2024/25 prices)

   The department’s commentary →

4. Strategic Sites Accelerator (SSA)

   DBT_0296_2526-Q2

   Data as at	Rating	End date	Whole-life cost
   March 2026	Amber (NISTA's independent assessment)	Low: 30/03/2030, Mid: 30/03/2030	The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information

   The department’s commentary →

Every major project, all departments →

Freedom of Information

The 20 day figure is out of the requests received, leaving out any put on hold or lapsed; the percentage is the Cabinet Office’s own, rounded. Resolvable requests are those not answered with advice alone or with “information not held”; any not granted or withheld had no response yet. Internal reviews and complaints to the Information Commissioner are published for whole years only.

All 39 bodies in the statistics, April to June 2026 →

Source: Cabinet Office, Freedom of Information statistics, April to June 2026 (Accredited official statistics). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Ministers’ meetings

Departments publish a quarterly return of ministers’ meetings with outside organisations on GOV.UK. A quarter is listed as missing once it ended more than three months ago; returns from January 2025 are checked.

Contact