Make UK welcomes energy announcements but calls for permanent cuts to industrial energy costs

Aaron Blutstein 22 October 2026  

Make UK has welcomed the Government’s latest energy announcements, including the approval of licensing for Jackdaw and progress on Rosebank, but has urged the Chancellor to go further by permanently reducing energy costs for UK manufacturers.

Stephen Phipson CBE, Chief Executive of Make UK, described the announcements as a positive first step following a meeting with the Chancellor, during which he called for tougher Government decisions.

“Yesterday after meeting the Chancellor, I said the Government needs to start making tough decisions. This is a very good start,” he said.

Phipson highlighted the importance of the Jackdaw development in supporting the UK’s energy security and providing greater certainty for manufacturers facing volatile conditions.

“As we have previously said, approving the licensing of Jackdaw will boost the UK’s energy security and support manufacturers through volatile times. It will provide some much-needed certainty as we enter a challenging winter. That’s why we also support the Government progressing Rosebank.”

Make UK also welcomed the creation of the new Energy Wealth Fund, calling for it to be used to accelerate the transition to electrification and help reduce energy costs over the longer term.

However, Phipson stressed that the Government must also address the immediate issue of energy costs facing manufacturers, with the organisation calling for the permanent removal of policy levies from energy bills.

“All of this is a step in the right direction. But what our members really need is for the Chancellor to permanently reduce energy costs by removing policy levies from energy bills,” he said.

Phipson concluded by urging the Government to make the issue a central priority in its forthcoming fiscal plans.

“If the Government is serious about reindustrialisation, then that needs to be the absolute priority at the Budget.”