 ENERGY intensive-industries such as steel making, cement and chemical manufacturers were granted a ?250m package from George Osborne yesterday to help counteract rising power costs.  The autumn Statement confirmed that a tax relief and compensation package would be used to shield British businesses from costly environmental legislation.  The measures include compensation for key businesses to help offset the indirect cost of the carbon price floor and the EU emissions trading system, and also increase the level of relief from the climate change levy on electricity to 90pc.  "This package is a welcome recognition of the significant competitive pressures facing energy intensive companies and should go a long way to address them," said Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the manufacturers' organisation EEF. John Cridland, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) was also positive, saying the move was "important for jobs and growth".  However, representatives of the ceramics industry said Mr Osborne had not gone far enough, with Dr Laura Cohen, chief executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, saying it was a "welcome first step".  Environmental groups were cautious on the proposals. WWF argued that data used to justify compensation should be "transparent" and assistance should be directed to those sectors genuinely at risk. "The Government shouldn't just cave into lobbying by industry," Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK, said.