MPA Cement welcomes CCL exemptions

Chancellor announces that some industries are to be exempt from the Climate Change Levy

MPA Cement has warmly welcomed the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget announcement that the Government will introduce exemptions from the Climate Change Levy (CCL) for energy used in metallurgical and mineralogical process from 1 April 2014.

Although the Chancellor did not state which industries would benefit from the exemption, the cement and lime industries have set out their case to the Treasury and will actively participate in the consultation process that the Government will now undertake, before publishing draft legislation later this year for the Finance Bill 2014.

Pal Chana, executive director of MPA Cement, said: ‘This is welcome news to the cement and lime industries who have been struggling under the weight of a cumulative cost burden of regulation and environmental taxes.

‘If these essential industries are to remain competitive and attract investment, they have to be able to compete on a level playing with others, such as France and Germany, who already exempt their metallurgical and mineralogical process from energy taxes.

‘I am delighted that the Chancellor has listened to the MPA’s arguments and look forward to working with the Treasury to secure this much-needed exemption for cement and lime.’