Business

Jacob Rees Mogg: Galvanises businesses with action on energy

Published

3 years ago

September 23, 2022

Westminster unveils energy support for businesses

NON WEDNESDAY, September 21, the UK Government announced new support for households, businesses and public sector organisations facing rising energy bills in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Through a new government Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the government will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers (including all UK businesses, the voluntary sector like charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals) whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices.

The support will be equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put in place for households.

It will apply to fixed contracts agreed on or after April 1, 2022, and to deemed variable and flexible tariffs and contracts.

The Price Guarantee will apply to energy usage from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, running for an initial six-month period for all non-domestic energy users.

The savings will be first seen in October bills, which are typically received in November.

As with the Energy Price Guarantee for households, customers do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support.

Support (in the form of a p/kWh discount) will automatically be applied to bills.

RISK OF BUSINESSES MISSING OUT

The price reduction level for each business will vary depending on their contract type and circumstances.

Non-domestic customers on existing fixed-price contracts will be eligible for support as long as the contract was agreed on or after April 1, 2022.

Provided that the wholesale element of the price the customer is paying is above the Government Supported Price, per unit energy costs will automatically be reduced by the relevant p/kWh for the duration of the Scheme.

Customers entering new fixed price contracts after October 1 will receive support on the same basis
those on default, deemed, or variable tariffs will receive a per-unit discount on energy costs, up to a maximum of the difference between the Supported Price and the average expected wholesale price over the period of the Scheme.

Non-domestic customers on default or variable tariffs will therefore pay reduced bills, but these will still change over time and may still be subject to price increases.

The government is working with suppliers to ensure all their customers in England, Scotland and Wales are allowed to switch to a fixed contract/tariff for the duration of the scheme if they wish, underpinned by the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme support for businesses on flexible purchase contracts, typically some of the largest energy-using businesses.

The government will provide equivalent support for businesses not connected to the gas or electricity grid. Further detail on this will be announced shortly.

SUPPORT MUST AVOID
THE CLIFF EDGE

The government will publish a review of the scheme’s operation in three months to inform decisions on future support after March 2023.

The review will particularly focus on identifying the most vulnerable non-domestic customers and how the government will continue assisting them with energy costs.

Prime Minister Liz 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.”

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality said: “This intervention is unprecedented, and it is extremely welcome that the government has listened to hospitality businesses facing an uncertain winter. ef
“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.”

SOME BUSINESSES WILL FALL
BETWEEN THE CRACKS, SAYS FSB

Tina McKenzie, Policy and Advocacy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: “This announcement will give certainty for the next six months, but a tough year remains ahead of many small firms.

“Many have been waiting for details on the energy bills support package to plan confidently for the winter and beyond, so it’s encouraging to have clarity from the Government on the form that its support will take.

“The next stage will be for small businesses to learn what the changes mean for their current contracts and for any offers they have been looking at.

“Subsidising the unit costs of electricity and gas for six months is welcome, but there are those who miss out from before the six-month period, and help must not result in a cliff-edge afterwards.
“We are calling for a hardship fund to be created for those who fall outside of the current support or for whom the current support will be insufficient.

“There will be hardship for some businesses which signed fixed contracts after prices rose but before April, who find themselves excluded from the scheme.

“FSB calls on energy suppliers to allow those customers to switch without charge to new fixed contracts, covered by the Energy Supported Price if that makes the difference for the small business to survive.

“Small businesses are the definition of vulnerable when it comes to these energy price hikes. Small firms do not have the ability to hedge, or negotiate energy prices, so we will be encouraging Government to continue to help small businesses across all different sectors after the six months have elapsed.”

Ms McKenzie called for common sense and understanding from the energy industry, which will continue to reap massive profits: “Energy companies must play their role to support their small business customers.

“Energy providers must pass on the benefit of the freeze in full and must immediately provide updated bills and quotes to each small business customer who will be wondering today what the changes mean for them.

“We’re concerned that there is no mention of a cap on rises to standing charges, which are the other main element of energy bills. While households’ standing charges will be capped, the same can’t be said for businesses.

“We call on energy suppliers to support their small business customers by committing to lowering standing charges as far as possible.

“We’d like to see energy companies promise not to disconnect businesses from energy supply that are currently unable to pay for their energy bills this winter and not ask for disproportionate upfront payments.

“Currently, small firms could be disconnected from energy supply if they cannot pay bills after 30 days.
“We will be writing to energy companies in this regard and encourage them to support their small business customers in this difficult period.”

SHORT-TERM FIX FOR
LONG-TERM PROBLEM

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said: “We welcome the government’s quick and decisive action to provide hard-pressed businesses with a substantial short-term fix to a long-term problem.
“The package will ease worries about otherwise viable businesses shutting up shop, and smaller companies especially will benefit from the discounted rate.

“Businesses will also want to know more about the exit strategy and what happens when the six-month cap runs out. Working closely with businesses will be key to successful implementation.

“The long-run solution is to double-down on energy security and to incentivise firms to push ahead with ambitious energy efficiency programmes to lower demand.”

Business

£10 million investment to support jobs and health in Wales

Published

8 minutes ago

April 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

First Wales trailblazer launched as part of UK Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ plan

A MAJOR £10 million boost to employment support in Wales has been announced as part of the UK Government’s drive to tackle economic inactivity and “Get Britain Working” again.

The first trailblazer programme in Wales, launched in Denbighshire on Monday (Apr 21), will roll out new tailored employment support including one-to-one mentoring, counselling, wellbeing services, and health condition management.

The programme was launched jointly by UK Minister for Employment Alison McGovern and Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant, marking a shift away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach in favour of support targeted to local needs.

The investment will help people with CV writing, job searching, mental health, and managing health issues that may be holding them back from employment. The trailblazer areas – Denbighshire, Blaenau Gwent, and Neath Port Talbot – were selected for their high levels of economic inactivity and will be among nine areas across the UK to pilot these reforms.

During their visit to Working Denbighshire, both Ministers met Work Coaches and saw first-hand the services being offered under the new scheme.

Minister for Employment Alison McGovern said: “Everyone deserves to thrive, including those living with long-term health conditions.

“No one will be written off. This £10 million investment will help connect health and employment services and deliver real change under our Plan for Change.

“Good work provides both dignity and security, and this trailblazer will help people across Wales access that support.”

Welsh Government Minister Jack Sargeant added:

“This investment is an important step in our joint approach to supporting people back into good employment.

“By integrating health and employment support, and tailoring it to each community’s needs, we aim to provide truly joined-up services.

“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring no one is left behind.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

“This £10 million trailblazer will deliver support where it’s most needed – in Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire, and Neath Port Talbot.

“We know this targeted approach works and builds on the success of initiatives like the Young Person’s Guarantee.

“Helping people into work improves physical and mental health and raises living standards.”

The trailblazers are part of the UK Government’s wider £240 million Get Britain Working reforms, which include:

Transforming Jobcentres to focus on skills and careers

Guaranteeing young people the chance to earn or learn

Expanding mental health support to help people stay in work

The Wales trailblazer follows the first scheme launched earlier this month in South Yorkshire, which focuses on supporting employers to hire people with health conditions. Upcoming trailblazers will also launch in Greater Manchester, the North East, York and North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and three areas in London.

In parallel with the trailblazer initiative, the UK Government has also:

Increased the National Living Wage and Minimum Wage

Introduced the Employment Rights Bill to create more secure jobs

Committed to deeper devolution, supporting local and devolved governments to boost regional growth

The investment into Wales reflects the Prime Minister’s pledge to reset relationships with devolved administrations and empower them to play a leading role in economic growth under the UK’s Plan for Change.

Business

Withyhedge incident team disbanded as complaints fall

Published

8 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE MULTI-AGENCY group set up to deal with ongoing issues at Withyhedge landfill has now been stood down.

The Incident Management Team (IMT), made up of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Pembrokeshire County Council, Public Health Wales, and Hywel Dda University Health Board, was formed earlier this year to coordinate the response to widespread complaints about odours and gas from the site near Haverfordwest.

The landfill had temporarily closed in May 2023 before reopening in January 2024, after NRW confirmed that necessary compliance measures were in place.

**Public Health Wales: We are reassured that the air quality data does not suggest an ongoing risk to public health (Pic: RML)**

Now, with reports of odour significantly reduced and pollution levels staying below World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds, NRW has confirmed that the IMT is no longer required.

In line with the improved conditions, a dedicated reporting system for odour and gas complaints has also been wound down. However, residents can still raise concerns through NRW’s standard incident reporting process, either online or by calling 0300 065 3000.

Independent monitoring of air quality will continue for at least another year, funded by site operators RML. Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to review this data to ensure accuracy and public transparency.

The static air quality monitor installed at Spittal School will remain in place until April 2026, with weekly results still shared with the council. However, Public Health Wales has said it will no longer routinely review the data.

Between January and March, the monitor recorded hydrogen sulphide levels above WHO’s odour annoyance limit on 13 occasions—all on a single day. No further breaches were recorded in the following seven weeks. Other monitoring in the area has not found any exceedances of either short-term or long-term hydrogen sulphide guidelines.

Public Health Wales said: “We are reassured that the air quality data does not suggest an ongoing risk to public health. With complaints now significantly reduced, we will no longer review the data regularly.”

NRW said it will continue unannounced inspections at the landfill to ensure the site remains compliant with its environmental permit. Its investigation into previous breaches is still ongoing.

The site operator, RML, has applied to vary the conditions of its permit, and NRW has confirmed that a public consultation will be held before any decision is made.

All agencies involved in the former incident response group said they will continue to share relevant updates with one another where necessary.

Business

The Range to open Haverfordwest store this week

Published

9 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

New home and garden retailer takes over former Homebase site

A MAJOR new retail store is set to open in Haverfordwest this week, bringing a fresh option for shoppers and garden enthusiasts alike.

The Range, a popular UK home, leisure, and garden chain, will officially open its new store at Springfield Retail Park on Fishguard Road on Friday (Apr 25). The store has taken over the former Homebase unit, which closed its doors in March last year after a clearance sale emptied its shelves.

The Pembrokeshire store is one of more than 50 former Homebase locations being transformed by The Range’s parent company, CDS (Superstores International), as part of a national expansion. CDS acquired around 70 sites across the UK and Ireland, aiming to safeguard approximately 1,600 jobs following Homebase’s financial collapse.

Customers in Haverfordwest can expect a wide selection of products across homeware, DIY, and seasonal gardening, with the store also boasting a new Homebase-branded garden centre.

The Range has confirmed that the new Haverfordwest branch will be a dog-friendly store, with special offers on opening day including free goody bags for the first 50 customers through the door – and even treats for the first five dogs to visit.

“We’re excited to welcome shoppers to our newest store,” said a spokesperson for The Range. “Come and explore a wide range of products, exclusive offers, and the brand-new Homebase Garden Centre.”

Although social media posts suggest an official opening time of 9:00am on Friday, the store is expected to open its doors slightly earlier at 8:30am. Opening hours for the weekend are listed as 8:30am to 8:00pm on both Friday and Saturday, and 1:30pm to 4:30pm on Sunday (Apr 27).

Regular hours have yet to be confirmed, but are expected to be similar to The Range’s Carmarthen store, which opens from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Saturday, and 10:30am to 4:30pm on Sundays.