Cut in energy support threatens hundreds of smaller manufacturers, CBM warns

The CBM, which has over 200 members made up of sheet metal formers, forgers, fasteners and cold formers, has received examples of gas and electricity bills rising to nearly 20 per cent of turnover, which CBM said is financially unsustainable and one that makes firms uncompetitive against international rivals.

Removal of the EBRS on March 31 will be another blow and CBM president Steve Morley believes the government must act now before it is too late.

Speaking at an Energy Summit Meeting, he unveiled a four-point blueprint that he believes will help hundreds of SME manufacturers.

First, Kemi Badenoch and her team at the Department for Business and Trade should listen to industry and realign the Energy Bill Discount Scheme so it includes all energy intensive industries.

CBM concede there will be a cost to the Treasury, but the price will not be as big as if it fails to act, with the interdependency of the supply chain meaning a lot of UK industry could collapse, including British steelmakers.