PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(20 April 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to tackle changes in the level of energy costs for businesses since July 2024; and what comparative assessment he has made of these steps compared to those taken before July 2024.

Asked by:
Alex Baker (Labour)

In June 2025, the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy proposed increased support for British Industry Supercharger recipients by uplifting the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% from 1 April 2026. This uplift reduced the gap between electricity prices in Great Britain and other countries by a further £8–10/MWh for around 550 energy intensive businesses.

For manufacturing companies ineligible for the Supercharger, the Modern Industrial Strategy also announced the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). BICS is expected to support over 10,000 businesses, saving them up to £40/MWh from April 2027, with an additional payment in 2027 to cover the 2026/27 period.

Answered by:
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