Statement On Roundtable Between The Business Secretary And Energy Intensive Industry Representatives

9th October 2021

Statement from
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy - BEIS on roundtable discussions between the Business Secretary and representatives from energy intensive industries.

Today the Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng met with representatives from energy intensive industries, such as steel, cement and chemicals, to discuss high global gas prices as part of his ongoing engagement with industry.

Mr Kwarteng began the call by saying he wanted to hear directly from industry leaders about the impact high global prices were having on their businesses and wider supply chains.

The Business Secretary stressed that the government remained confident in the security of gas supply this winter. He also highlighted the £2 billion package of support that has been made available to industry since 2013 to help reduce electricity costs.

The Business Secretary noted he was determined to secure a competitive future for our energy intensive industries, and promised to continue to work closely with companies over the coming days to further understand and help mitigate the impacts of any cost increases faced by businesses.

Today's (8 October 2021) attendees included:

Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng
The Energy Intensive Users Group, which includes members from: The Mineral Products Association, The Confederation of Paper Industries, Make UK, British Ceramic Confederation, BritGlass, Glass Futures, BOC, Chemical Industries Association, Air Products, UK Steel.

Note
Businesses are not protected by the energy cap set by Ofgem.