Applications open for scheme to cut energy bills for manufacturers

Applications open to more than 10,000 manufacturing businesses today [1 October] for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS).

More than 10,000 businesses across Great Britain are a step closer to vital government support to slash their electricity bills, as applications open today for BICS.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has urged eligible manufacturers to sign up before registrations close on 30 November to receive support from April 2027, marking the next milestone in government action to tackle industrial energy costs and reindustrialise Britain.

A flagship measure of the Modern Industrial Strategy, BICS will cut manufacturers’ electricity costs by up to 25 percent, with support targeted at the UK’s frontier and foundational industries where around 98 percent of all firms are small businesses.

It will save companies hundreds of millions of pounds a year and help them invest, grow and create good jobs across the country as part of the Prime Minister’s mission to reindustrialise Britain.

Businesses confirmed as eligible will also be in line for an additional lump-sum payment equivalent to around a year’s relief from the scheme. Only those applying for BICS this year will be able to access the additional year of payment.

BICS forms part of wider government action to tackle industrial electricity costs and strengthen the competitiveness of UK manufacturing.

This includes extended support through the British Industry Supercharger, which helps cut electricity costs for energy-intensive industries including steel, chemicals, glass, paper and ceramics by over £400 million per year.

The Government has also backed some of the UK’s vital national sectors such as chemicals and ceramics with additional targeted funding to tackle high energy costs and shore up Britain’s resilience, with £350 million and £120 million respectively.

BICS is targeted at manufacturers across the Modern Industrial Strategy’s eight high-growth sectors, such as aerospace and defence, as well as the foundational industries that supply them, directing support where it will have the greatest impact on growth, investment, competitiveness and jobs.

Businesses can submit their applications on gov.uk here: Apply for BICS - British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) - GOV.UK.

Further information and guidance on applying for support from BICS is available on the Scheme’s gov.uk pages here: British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK.