The government has been warned by British Glass chief executive Dave Dalton that “immediate action” is needed to thwart soaring gas prices.
The government has been told that some factories will have no choice but to close unless a solution is urgently reached.
The government are being urged to bring in a “price cap” as ceramics, paper and steel manufacturing could close.
On Friday the government and the industry sectors failed to reach an agreement, but the Treasury denied being in detailed talks with the Business Secretary over the crisis.
The British Glass chief said the Treasury’s comment is “very alarming,” and said that was in discussions with Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday.
He told the BBC the meeting “was very much an introductory one. We did not get to specifics.”
Adrian Curry, managing director of UK-based Encirc, one of the largest container glass plants in Europe, said they are not asking for a bailout, but the situation is critical.
Curry told the BBC, “We pay more for our energy than competitors in other countries.”
He said Encirc normally spends around £40m a year on energy, but now they are looking at bills of up to £100m.
Ed Miliband MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary said, “Yet again we see that in the face of their failed energy policy, the government has nothing to offer businesses or consumers to help them with the crisis they are facing.
“For firms and families waiting to hear how the Business Secretary might help, there is a total absence of a plan and no extra help.
“The government is squabbling amongst itself, with the Treasury even denying they are talking to BEIS about providing help for large, energy intensive industries.”
The Business Secretary told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme on Sunday the situation was “critical” and he is “looking to find a solution.”
Kwarteng added, “We already have existing support and we’re looking to see whether that’s sufficient to get us through this situation.”
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