Non-domestic Meter Customers 2023-04-18
2023-04-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The question arises from concerns over energy costs for non-domestic users. There is a need to ensure that all eligible businesses and organisations are supported during high-cost periods.
What steps his Department is taking to improve support for non-domestic meter customers. I am concerned about the impact of rising energy bills on small businesses and other non-domestic customers in my constituency.
The new energy bills discount scheme will continue to support all eligible businesses and non-domestic customers with their energy bills from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024. This follows on from the unprecedented £7.3 billion expected to be delivered through the energy bill relief scheme over the course of the last winter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Some residents and businesses are not aware of the benefits they can receive from various energy bill support schemes, leading to potential missed opportunities.
Many residents of East Beach residential park are grateful that they can access the energy bill support scheme alternative fund, but what steps is the Department taking to contact and help those who are not aware of the benefits of these schemes to identify what they are?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the energy bill support scheme alternative funding, providing £400, and £600 in Northern Ireland, to households who do not have a domestic electricity supply and therefore have not received the main EBSS payment. It is up and running and I urge all Members to encourage their eligible constituents, including those in park homes, to apply via gov.uk.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
British businesses face some of the highest energy costs in Europe, causing significant financial strain. The Make UK has criticised the government's plan as insufficient.
British businesses pay among the highest energy bills anywhere in Europe, yet Make UK said the Government's plan does little to tackle the real and immediate threat manufacturers face with rocketing energy bills. If the Government really wanted to support business, they would implement Labour's plans, help small firms with energy efficiency, cut business rates and invest in renewable electricity generation for the long term.
This Government have an unprecedented record in helping both domestic and non-domestic customers, and the energy bills discount scheme will continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers, with a higher level of support provided under the energy and trade-intensive industry element of the scheme.
▸
Assessment & feedback
specific measures proposed by Labour's plans such as helping small firms with energy efficiency, cutting business rates, and investing in renewable electricity generation were not addressed
Response accuracy