The Government has set out its response on the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme-promising energy-bill relief from 2027 and wider coverage. We welcome progress, but the package still falls short of the immediate support manufacturers need.

Commenting on the outcome of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO of Make UK said:

"While this announcement acknowledges the problem of high UK industrial energy costs it doesn't provide the immediate solution to the critical cost pressures companies are facing right now. Manufacturers are staring down the barrel of huge increases in their energy bills this month as they renegotiate their energy contracts and, when combined with other cost increases, many simply can't wait until 2027 for relief."

"The UK has the highest Industrial energy costs in the developed world which is unsustainable for a manufacturing sector which provides 2.6 million high skilled high paid jobs and must compete globally. Failure to provide help now risks substantial job losses and further deindustrialisation of a sector vital for our national security and resilience."