英媒：电价太贵，英国制造业强国地位不保？

Group 1 - The high energy prices have forced approximately 40% of UK businesses to reduce investments, threatening the country's status as a manufacturing powerhouse [1] - UK electricity costs are currently 70% higher and natural gas prices are 60% higher than before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leading to significant financial pressure on businesses [1] - Nearly 90% of companies have experienced rising energy bills over the past five years, with 40% reducing investments as a result [1] Group 2 - The UK faces the highest electricity costs among developed countries, with industrial prices nearly two-thirds higher than the median of International Energy Agency member countries [1] - Medium-sized enterprises in the UK pay about twice the electricity price compared to the EU median, putting them at a competitive disadvantage [1] - Even supported industries like steel have electricity costs 14%-25% higher than their counterparts in France and Germany [1] Group 3 - High energy costs have led to factory closures and layoffs in energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, making it difficult for multinational companies to justify new production lines in the UK [2] - Over a quarter of the UK's electricity still comes from natural gas, which has seen prices soar since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, contributing to high consumer electricity bills [2] - The UK's goods trade deficit reached £248.3 billion in 2025, widening by £30.5 billion from the previous year, despite a service trade surplus of £192 billion [2]