UK moves to cut industry energy bills to help compete with European rivals

Long-awaited scheme aims to cut costs for 300 firms in energy-intensive sectors such as steel and chemicals

Ministers have moved to level the playing field on energy costs between British manufacturers and their European competitors after years of concerns that domestic firms faced an unfair disadvantage.

The “British Industry Supercharger” scheme aims to improve conditions for 300 companies – employing 400,000 workers – in sectors including steel, metals, chemicals and paper manufacturing.