The UK government has announced it will expand the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) to cover 10,000 electricity-intensive manufacturing businesses from 2027.
In June 2025, the government launched BICS to boost UK industry’s competitiveness by reducing high electricity costs. At the time it said that from April 2027, 7,000 businesses in manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, steel and pharmaceuticals would see their electricity costs reduced by up to 25%.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now announced that the scheme will be expanded to a further 3,000 eligible businesses. A one-off payment in 2027 will cover support firms would have received if BICS had been in place from April 2026.
Reeves said: “Today’s announcement will cut energy bills for over 10,000 manufacturers, helping businesses to compete, win and create good jobs across the country, and to deliver our Modern Industrial Strategy.”
Electricity in the UK is more expensive than in many of its European counterparts...