The UK government has agreed to additional subsidies to reduce high electricity costs for the metals sector, pushing it back from plunging back into the crisis.
However, European approval has yet to be reached to grant government aid to British steelmakers, who would bear electricity costs close to their continental rivals. By the end of March 2017, the government expects to receive EU approval to amend the rules of state aid.
Metallurgists have successfully campaigned for discounts on their energy costs - which raise green taxes - to match foreign competitors. The country's latest budget outlined a deal whereby the industry would pay green fees but got the money back from the Treasury.
A spokesman for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “Energy costs are an important issue for our energy-intensive industries and we strive to keep them to a minimum. We are continuing to negotiate with the EU to secure the remaining exemptions in order to start a new system, while the current compensation must remain in place. ”
The threat of a new crisis for the UK steel industry has decreased
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Azovpromstal® 17 January 2017 г. 11:57 |
