Make UK warns energy support too slow for manufacturers

Aaron Blutstein 16 April 2026  

The Government has announced the BICS Energy Support Scheme in response to concerns over industrial energy costs.

Industry body Make UK said the measures do not address immediate cost pressures facing manufacturers, particularly as companies renegotiate energy contracts.

Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive 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.”

Make UK highlighted the UK’s industrial energy costs in comparison with other developed economies and the potential impact on the manufacturing sector.

Phipson said: “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.”