The comments came following an industry debate at Westminster on 26 May.

The conference, led by Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford Jonathan Shaw, put forward the good work the paper industry has done over the past few years, and made MPs aware of how much it is being affected by current legislation.

CPI director of external affairs Kathy Bradley said the industry was at last being heard, following what she termed as a very focused lobbying programme.

"We have met with MPs, including Shaw, on numerous occasions and what we have been trying to get across is a consistent and coherent message." Bradley said that as a result of the campaigning the industry was now being seen in a different light.

"Our message is now being taken seriously," she said.

Despite the praise, Bradley said the CPI still had issues over what the Government had thought it had given the industry in terms of benefits, and what it actually had. "Clearly we need to understand why they can't provide what we ask for. We know we have their sympathy," she said.

During the debate Shaw said that were just 19 CHP plants in operation in UK paper mills. Five projects had been shelved, and Shaw said this was down to a doubling of gas prices.

A recent OFGEM investigation into gas price rises has been extended, a move welcomed by the CPI.