Applications for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) opened on 1 October 2026 to more than 10,000 manufacturing businesses, according to a government press release of that date. Eligible firms were urged to apply by 30 November, with support intended to begin in April 2027, the release said.

The scheme was described as cutting manufacturers' electricity costs by up to 25 percent, with support targeted at frontier and foundational industries, where around 98 percent of firms are small businesses. Eligible businesses in England, Scotland and Wales would be exempt from the indirect costs of the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and Capacity Market. The discount would depend on each company's underlying electricity price, which varies between businesses and over time.

Confirmed eligible businesses were also to be in line for an additional lump-sum payment equivalent to around a year's relief, available only to those applying that year, the release said. It said the Northern Ireland Executive would receive funding for an equivalent scheme, subject to business case development.