Energy Bills Discount Scheme: BCC comment

Rob Flello, Chief Executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to extend energy support to UK businesses and manufacturing through the Energy Bills Discount Scheme for another year.“Government appears to have listened to our concerns and taken them on board in providing extra support for energy intensive industries and in recognising that UK ceramics is a critical sector in the United Kingdom.“The new scheme provides a cushion for energy costs, but only if the wholesale costs are relatively benign, making the new scheme not as supportive or as far-reaching as the original Energy Bill Relief Scheme.“As a gas-intensive Foundation Industry, exorbitant energy prices have put the UK ceramics sector under intense pressure. Internationally competitive energy and carbon costs are essential if we are to compete on a global stage.“However, UK ceramic manufacturers are still competing against unrestricted imports from countries that provide a far higher level of support to their own manufacturers.“The negative language the Government used in citing that the taxpayer could not continue to prop up failing and unproductive firms was disappointing and disheartening. The UK ceramics industry alone, without Government support, has invested more than £600million in energy efficiency over the last 10 years.“UK ceramic companies are successful, well-run businesses, facing unpresented energy costs and unfair competition from abroad.“We are working through the finer detail and are grateful that the Minister has agreed to meet with the British Ceramic Confederation to discuss the scheme.“UK ceramics is the manufacturing backbone of this nation – without refractories there is no steel and no glass, and without the brick, tile, and clay pipe manufacturers there would be no housebuilding.“Looking ahead, the threat presented by volatile energy prices has not gone away, and we will continue to support our members, working closely with Government.”