Independent retailers continue to push government for energy support

The Fed is calling on the chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt and the business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch to provide independent retailers with clarity and assistance over the future of their energy bills and the government’s aims to end the energy crisis.

In an interview with Sky News last week, Jeremy Hunt said the government is “willing to do what it takes” to help assist households and families with reducing their energy bills, following Ofgem’s announcement that the energy bill cap would be set at £2,074 a year.

Although this news has brought greater relief to family households, high energy costs still pose a great threat to many smaller businesses.

While the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, which has extended energy relief to businesses until March 31 2024, will continue to provide some assistance to Fed members in reducing the financial burden that high energy bills have placed on many in the independent retail section, more work is still needed to aid retailers at this time.

The Fed’s National President Jason Birks said: “Whilst Mr Hunt’s comments may bring relief and hope to households struggling to pay their energy bills, the same relief cannot be found among us retailers. Our members are still struggling to keep their businesses open, and the government is not doing enough to support them during this time.

“That’s while we call for the chancellor and the business secretary to sit down with retailers to listen to our concerns and take action now, to ensure more businesses are not forced to close as a result of fluctuating energy costs.”