Preparing your business for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS)
Prepare for the launch of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). We’ll help you understand whether your business qualifies for BICS, get your energy data in order, and make sure your application is ready before the scheme opens.
Don’t wait until April 2027
While BICS doesn’t launch until April 2027, the first window for applications is due to open on 1 October 2026 and will run to 30 November 2026. With over 10,000 companies expected to apply, and with support backdated to April 2026, getting ahead of the process now could make a real difference to your claim.
Who can apply for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
You can apply for BICS if your business:
- is registered in Great Britain
- carries out eligible manufacturing activity in Great Britain
- operates an electricity-intensive manufacturing site
- has multiple sites or a complex meter portfolio
Exemptions on your bills will be assessed site by site, based on the share of the electricity used for manufacturing eligible products:
- less than 25% (no relief)
- between 25% and 50% (50% exemption)
- 50% or more (full 100% exemption)
BICS Eligibility and Application Timeline
With the BICS application window approaching, businesses should assess their eligibility and prepare the required information in advance. Leyton can support eligible businesses in assessing their potential benefit and navigating the BICS requirements and application process.
Energy services
Explore our other energy services
We offer a full range of fully managed energy tax relief services, from reviewing your eligibility for government exemptions and compensation to auditing your processes and implementing action plans that optimise your energy performance and competitiveness. For energy tax relief claims, you only pay if your claim succeeds.
Climate Change Levy (CCL) Exemption
Eligible manufacturers can claim exemptions from the Climate Change Levy on both electricity and gas supply.
Energy-Intensive Industries exemption scheme (EII)
If your business is eligible, you can apply for relief from certain electricity policy costs, including the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) through the Energy-Intensive Industries exemption scheme.
Sustainability reporting services
We support businesses with a wide range of carbon reduction and ESG reporting services, from energy tracking and emission calculations to net-zero modelling and full ESG reporting. We tailor the service to your needs, building a reporting and planning structure that helps you unlock savings, gain a competitive advantage and future-proof your business.
Climate Change Levy (CCL) Exemption
Eligible manufacturers can claim exemptions from the Climate Change Levy on both electricity and gas supply.
Energy-Intensive Industries exemption scheme (EII)
If your business is eligible, you can apply for relief from certain electricity policy costs, including the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) through the Energy-Intensive Industries exemption scheme.
Sustainability reporting services
We support businesses with a wide range of carbon reduction and ESG reporting services, from energy tracking and emission calculations to net-zero modelling and full ESG reporting. We tailor the service to your needs, building a reporting and planning structure that helps you unlock savings, gain a competitive advantage and future-proof your business.
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Our service
What our BICS support service offers
We’re here to help your business get ready for BICS. Our energy specialists will help to manage the full process, working with you from now through to a successful application.
Eligibility assessment
We’ll evaluate your eligibility and classification under the government’s proposed BICS criteria.
Energy benchmarking
We’ll evaluate your eligibility and classification under the government’s proposed BICS criteria.
Scheme comparison
We’ll help you to identify the strategic advantages between BICS and existing energy exemption and relief support schemes.
Launch preparation
We’ll develop a tailored approach with you ahead of the scheme’s official launch.
Application management
We’ll prepare and deliver your full BICS application, working with the DBT (Department for Business & Trade) to support a successful outcome.
Supplier coordination
We’ll liaise with your energy supplier to make sure the exemptions are added to your bill and you receive the savings you’re entitled to.
Eligibility assessment
We’ll evaluate your eligibility and classification under the government’s proposed BICS criteria.
Energy benchmarking
We’ll evaluate your eligibility and classification under the government’s proposed BICS criteria.
Scheme comparison
We’ll help you to identify the strategic advantages between BICS and existing energy exemption and relief support schemes.
Launch preparation
We’ll develop a tailored approach with you ahead of the scheme’s official launch.
Application management
We’ll prepare and deliver your full BICS application, working with the DBT (Department for Business & Trade) to support a successful outcome.
Supplier coordination
We’ll liaise with your energy supplier to make sure the exemptions are added to your bill and you receive the savings you’re entitled to.
Get in touch
Ready to maximise your BICS opportunity?
We’re here to help. Book a free assessment with our team and take the first step towards unlocking the benefits available to your business through BICS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about BICS from our frequently asked questions.
Which sectors are eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
BICS is specifically designed for manufacturing frontier and foundational industries within ‘IS-8’ manufacturing sectors, as defined by the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. This list of specific eligible Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes is fairly broad, but generally eligible frontier industries include sectors within advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, defence, digital and technologies, and life sciences. Eligible foundational industries include chemicals, composites, critical minerals, materials, steel, and manufacturing components for electricity networks.
Is BICS available in Northern Ireland?
BICS was originally designed for Great Britain, but the UK Government has announced funding for a Northern Ireland version of the scheme. Stormont is designing the local scheme, so the exact details and timings are still to be confirmed.
BICS is specifically designed for manufacturing frontier and foundational industries within ‘IS-8’ manufacturing sectors, as defined by the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. This list of specific eligible Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes is fairly broad, but generally eligible frontier industries include sectors within advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, defence, digital and technologies, and life sciences. Eligible foundational industries include chemicals, composites, critical minerals, materials, steel, and manufacturing components for electricity networks.
BICS was originally designed for Great Britain, but the UK Government has announced funding for a Northern Ireland version of the scheme. Stormont is designing the local scheme, so the exact details and timings are still to be confirmed.