UK losing jobs abroad due to high energy costs, manufacturers and union warn

Britain is losing manufacturing jobs abroad and risks the loss of major industries due to high energy costs, a manufacturing group and trade union body warned on Monday, urging the government to do more to reduce companies' bills.



Under an industrial strategy launched a year ago, Britain pledged to cut electricity costs for energy-intensive industries by exempting them from certain green levies, and has since said the scheme will be expanded and backdated.



But industry group Make UK said a survey of members showed more than half of firms had seen no benefit from the strategy, while a quarter had moved production abroad or were considering doing so.



"Britain faces deindustrialisation unless manufacturers get relief from high energy prices," said Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, calling for the scheme to be expanded to the whole industry and rolled out more quickly.



"We cannot afford to be delayed by political upheaval, or by further consultations. For the sake of thousands of jobs across Britain, the Government needs to step in and act now."