High electricity using businesses like steel and paper mills could see further relief under new proposals to help subsidise their electricity costs.

The UK government is consulting on the option to increase the level of exemption for certain environmental and policy costs from 85% of costs up to 100%.

This reflects higher UK industrial electricity prices than those of other countries including in Europe, which could hamper investment, competition and commercial viability for hundreds of businesses in industries including steel, paper, glass, ceramics, and cement, and risk them relocating from the UK.

The proposal would help around 300 businesses supporting 60,000 jobs in the UK’s industrial heartlands. Looking at ways to reduce the cost of doing business for key industries would help secure the future of domestic manufacturing and maintain a competitive business environment in the UK, ensuring economic growth and protecting thousands of jobs across the country.

The Energy Intensive Industries Exemption Scheme provides businesses with relief for the costs of renewable levies, including Contracts for Difference, the Renewable Obligation and Feed in Tariffs, in their energy bills.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

British manufacturers are the lifeblood of our economy and central to our plans to overcome this period of economic uncertainty.

With global energy prices at record highs, it is essential we explore what more we can do to deliver a competitive future for those strategic industries so we can cut production costs and protect jobs across the UK.

Director General of UK Steel Gareth Stace said:

The publication of this consultation is a significant step forward in delivering competitive electricity prices for the UK steel sector and should provide some much-needed relief in the face of extremely challenging circumstances at the current time. While there remain difficulties, this announcement demonstrates that UK government understands the challenges of British industry and continues to support steelmakers and steel communities across the country.

This is a consultation on a targeted support scheme for energy intensive industries, as announced in the British Energy Security Strategy. Launching this consultation now provides the future government with the option to introduce this scheme given current high electricity prices.

The government has provided more than £2 billion to support businesses in energy intensive sectors with the price of electricity bills since 2013.

The launch of the consultation follows the extension of the separate but similar Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme for a further 3 years and a more than doubling of its budget.

The compensation scheme provides businesses with relief for the costs of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Carbon Price Support mechanism in their electricity bills.

It is here, new, hot and happening on Paoa FM at 12 noon this Saturday 13 August 2022. The British Council’s Selector Radio, an hour of new UK Music on each show.

Every Saturday Selector Radio will share the best new UK music with the world. They play music from any artist, any band and any genre as long as it’s new and exciting. Each week Selector puts together an eclectic playlist of music and artists who are leading the way in UK music.

Presented by BBC Radio 1 Xtra’s Jamz Supernova, it is an insight to the bubbling underground scenes from every corner of the UK. Each week’s show features guest interviews with emerging artists or exciting people in the music industry. The show also provides a gateway to music beyond the UK with features from countries where the show is broadcast, dipping into the key sounds emerging around the world.

Selector is broadcast to over 30 countries around the world including Cuba, China, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Slovakia, Spain and Mexico and has a global audience of over 4 million listeners.

In Solomon Islands, Selector will broadcast on Paoa FM. Paoa FM is the largest FM radio station in the Solomon Islands, broadcasting to two-thirds of the country’s population. They play top hits, including Reggae and local stars. Paoa FM covers Guadalcanal, Malaita, Central Islands, Russell Islands and parts of Isabel and Makira Ulawa provinces.

With Selector Radio launching this Saturday, you can now listen to UK music at 12pm Saturdays each week besides Paoa FM’s usual top of the Hour news bulletins each day to keep up-to-date with the latest news in Solomon Islands.

British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Thomas Edward Coward said:

I can’t wait to hear new UK music in Solomon Islands. Music has the power to bring us together and this is a celebration of the friendship between the UK and Solomon Islands.

British Council Director for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, Natasha Beckman said:

We are delighted to share the best of new music from the UK here in Solomon Islands. I hope we can use this to do more to connect with each other through arts, culture and creativity.

Ahead of this Saturday’s launch and the first ever show, Paoa FM’s General Manager, an excited Joel Samuel Lamani said:

We are so excited to have this programme on Paoa FM, connecting us to the UK, keeping us up to date with what the people in the UK are listening to.

British Council Aotearoa

British High Commission Honiara