Business Secretary of State visits Elton for energy price cut announcement

Encirc proudly hosted Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, at its Cheshire facility on October 30th, where a landmark update was unveiled to cut electricity network charging for energy-intensive industries.

An exciting step forward for the future of UK glass manufacturing.

The announcement means manufacturers benefit from a 90% discount on industrial energy network charging costs from April 2026, up from the current 60%, as part of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy saving £420 million annually across approximately 500 UK businesses.

The announcement will help drive sustainable growth, innovation and attract investment for Encirc, part of the Vidrala Group, and boost the glass manufacturer’s ability to compete with cheaper imports from regions that do not bear the same level of cost and regulation.

Encirc Managing Director Sean Murphy welcomed the announcement saying: “We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, to our site in Cheshire.

“The Minister’s announcement is a welcome boost during a challenging time for UK manufacturing. It marks a significant step forward for our industry, helping British glass producers compete more fairly against lower-cost imports from regions with fewer regulatory and financial burdens.

“By cutting the costs of energy in this way, the government is helping our industry to support thousands of jobs across the country whilst we make the transition to sustainable sources of power.

Sean added: “We welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Minister on the pressing challenges facing our sector such as Extended Producer Responsibility. Continued government support for vital industries like glass manufacturing is essential to safeguarding jobs and unlocking investment across all regions of the UK.

“The UK government support for a level playing field for UK manufacturers is a positive. Our ask is that this level playing field extends to Northern Ireland to ensure businesses there don’t get left behind and become unable to compete across UK and Ireland.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: “British industry deserves a level playing field – and this government is delivering it. We’ve heard businesses loud and clear, and this landmark support will help them stay competitive on the global stage so they can invest and grow here in the UK.

“This is our Modern Industrial Strategy in action: practical, targeted support that secures jobs, attracts investment and drives our economy forward, as part of our Plan for Change.”