Government Rescue Package Could Cut Business Energy Bills By A Half

Liz Truss unveiled the scheme amid fears thousand of firms could go bust.
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Firms will be given government help to pay their energy bills this winter.
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Businesses could see their energy bills reduced by up to a half as part a mutli-billion pound government rescue package.

Under the Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the amount they pay for gas and electricity will be capped for the next six months.

The scheme is aimed at preventing thousands of firms going bust because they can’t afford to pay their energy bills.

It will also apply to the voluntary sector like charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals.

The announcement comes after Liz Truss announced that a typical household will pay no more than £2,500 a year for their energy until October, 2024.

At the time, she said an “equivalent” scheme would be brought in to get hard-pressed firms cope with soaring energy costs this winter.

Under the business scheme, said non-domestic customers will pay no more than £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas - less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter.

That could knock up to a half off bills this winter - but the support package runs out in April, unless a business is deemed to be particularly vulnerable.

Truss said: “I understand the huge pressure businesses, charities and public sector organisations are facing with their energy bills, which is why we are taking immediate action to support them over the winter and protect jobs and livelihoods. 

“As we are doing for consumers, our new scheme will keep their energy bills down from October, providing certainty and peace of mind.

“At the same time, we are boosting Britain’s homegrown energy supply so we fix the root cause of the issues we are facing and ensure greater energy security for us all.”

Business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “We have seen an unprecedented rise in energy prices following Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, which has affected consumers up and down the country and businesses of all sizes.

“The help we are already putting in place will save families money off their bills, and the government’s plans for businesses, charities and public sector organisations will give them the equivalent level of support.

“This, alongside the measures we are taking to boost the amount of domestic energy we produce to improve both energy security and supply, will increase growth, protect jobs and support families with their cost of living this winter.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, welcomed the announcement - but warned that companies must be given further help to avoid a “cliff edge” when the scheme ends in the spring.

She said: “This intervention is unprecedented and it is extremely welcome that government has listened to hospitality businesses facing an uncertain winter. 

“We particularly welcome its inclusiveness – from the smallest companies to the largest - all of which combine to provide a huge number of jobs, which are now much more secure.

“The government has recognised the vulnerability of hospitality as a sector, and we will continue to work with the government, to ensure that there is no cliff edge when these measures fall away.”