Chaired by former Defence Secretary, Lord Hutton, the new Commission will address the UK’s urgent need for domestic battery manufacturing across energy, defence, transport, and tech sectors Lord Hutton has launched a Policy Commission on Gigafactories to support the UK’s ambitions for economic growth and sustainable industries. This Commission brings together senior cross-party political figures and industry leaders with deep expertise in government, policy, manufacturing, energy and national security. Its members include three former Cabinet Ministers, and two respected industry experts – combining political experience with frontline sector knowledge. The Commission will consult with stakeholders from across industry, government, academia, and investors, and will publish its findings and recommendations early in 2026. The Commission will produce recommendations on how the UK can scale up its battery manufacturing capacity – a critical requirement to achieving net zero, generating economic growth and securing high-quality green jobs. The Commissioners are: Rt Hon Lord John Hutton (Chair), former Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Greg Clark , former Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Chair of the Society of Chemical Industry, and currently Chair of the University of Warwick’s Innovation District Dr Isobel Sheldon OBE , founder of Oak Polytech Rt Hon Baroness Lindsay Northover , Member of the Lords Science and Technology Committee Rt Hon Sir Oliver Letwin , former Minister for Government Policy and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, currently Senior Advisor to the Faraday Institution Dr Ian Constance , CEO at Advanced Propulsion Centre UK The Commission comes at a pivotal moment for the UK as the Government negotiates new trade deals and is expected to launch its Industrial Strategy in the coming weeks. From energy independence to electric vehicle production, national supply chain resilience to our trading relationship with China and the USA, the need for increased battery manufacturing cuts across many major policy priorities facing Britain today. The Faraday Institution , the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research, skills development, market analysis, and early-stage commercialisation, will serve as secretariat to the commission. Lord Hutton of Furness, Chair of the Commission, said: "Batteries are no longer just a tech issue or an energy issue – they are a national strategic imperative. The UK cannot afford to remain dependent on foreign supply chains for such a vital component of our economic and energy future. This Commission will ask the difficult questions and provide bold but realistic and politically deliverable recommendations to put Britain on the front foot." Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution, added: "Britain has world-class battery science and growing industrial ambition. We are pleased to support this Commission, which is about turning that potential into national strategy – one that boosts jobs, strengthens our energy and tech sectors, and protects the UK's strategic autonomy."