The current level of energy bill support is “unsustainably expensive” and cannot continue at its current rate, UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has told business groups.
The £18 million energy relief package for businesses launched in October will come to an end after six months.
Hunt will set out the government’s revised plan to help businesses with energy costs from March this week, but met with business groups last week to discuss the proposed support.
Ahead of the meeting on Wednesday 4 January to discuss ongoing energy support for business, Sacha Lord, the night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, called for “a clear, urgent and defined strategy outlining how business owners across the UK can survive the expected surge in costs”.
Lord said: “Support at its fullest must be maintained for UK companies when the current scheme comes to an end in March to prevent closures, and I urge the Chancellor to understand the depths of the crisis and listen to the swathes of business voices across all industries calling for help.”
But the Chancellor is understood to have told business groups during the meeting that no government would be able to “permanently shield” businesses from rising energy costs, as reported by The Caterer.
UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) were present at the meeting on Wednesday.
Responding to a prediction that prime minister Rishi Sunak is poised to half energy support for businesses, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls tweeted: “This would be absolutely devastating for hospitality sector which has faced average bill increases of 200%+ since April. Vital additional support maintained for [t]hose sectors recognised as vulnerable.”
This would be absolutely devastating for hospitality sector which has faced average bill increases of 200%+ since April. Vital additional support maintained for hose sectors recognised as vulnerable https://t.co/fa3bvoKj0R
— Kate Nicholls OBE (@UKHospKate) December 30, 2022
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin warned that without continued support UK pubs and brewers up and down the country could be “lost for good”, it has been reported.
This article was originally published by the drinks business and has been shared with permission.
