News Extra - UK Industrial Strategy


A Modern Industrial Strategy T


At the end of June, the government released its long-awaited strategic plan for the next decade.


he UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy promises to bring down industrial


electricity costs, ensure projects receive timely connections to the Grid and support small and medium businesses (SMEs) by tackling late payments from large firms.


Insights from ECA’s experts In a statement, the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) welcomed the publication of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Rob Driscoll, ECA’s director of legal and business, commented: “Tackling the culture and practice of late payments within the industry has been a cornerstone of ECA’s advocacy for a number of years. We welcome the Government’s commitment to unlock growth and go further, faster, solving this pernicious issue and look forward to working in partnership with them to end poor payment practices.” “The Industrial Strategy – Clean Energy Industry


Sector Plan outlines a commitment to growing Britain’s electricity network supply chains, so clean power projects can connect to the Grid”, added Jane Dawson, ECA’s head of external affairs. “We see this a positive step to speeding up the energy transition, as outlined in the Blueprint for Electrification. ECA Member firms will also welcome the promise to remove planning barriers, an often-cited obstacle to new projects.” ECA’s Blueprint for Electrification is a roadmap for the UK, calling for improving grid connections and


removing barriers to planning to speed up electrification. Andrew Eldred, ECA’s deputy CEO, commented:


“An electrical career provides high quality jobs and good career progression opportunities. To match the demand of accelerating electrification outlined in the Industrial Strategy, the industry, just in England, needs 12,500 new entrants each year (5,000 more than current levels of apprentice recruitment). Procurement reforms need to prioritise growing the workforce, by mandating apprentice ratios and other industry-endorsed skills targets in contracts.”


While ECA welcomes the reduction in the price of industrial electricity for selected businesses, it continues to call for a review of historical taxation on electricity which would reduce the price of clean energy for everyone.


“Tackling the culture and practice of late payments


within the industry has been a cornerstone of ECA’s advocacy


for a number of years.” Rob Driscoll


Observations from Schneider Electric Kelly Becker, Schneider Electric’s president, UK & Ireland, Belgium & Netherlands, argues that the Modern Industrial Strategy brings much-needed business confidence, particularly on reducing energy costs – but there’s more support that can happen now as a result of readily available technologies. “The Industrial Strategy is an important policy


milestone, and it provides much-needed business clarity and confidence for investment,” Becker said. “The Government’s focus on reducing energy costs is a welcome relief, as high energy bills are one of the biggest barriers to UK industrial growth. Yet, with the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme not being in place until 2027,


20 | electrical wholesalerAugust 2025


“The Government’s focus on reducing energy costs is a


welcome relief, as high energy bills are one of the biggest


barriers to UK industrial growth.” Kelly Bekker


businesses need support now. The technologies already exist to manage energy and reduce costs - increased uptake of these should be supported to help all businesses, not just those eligible under the new scheme. “Equally, a focus on electricity networks and


associated supply chains is welcome as they are essential to establishing a more secure, resilient energy system. This approach means greater support for domestic manufacturers who supply vital components needed to meet growing demand in the energy transition.”


ewnews.co.uk


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