Concerns raised by businesses across the UK that the cessation of the existing energy support in March 2023 would result in a “cliff-edge” scenario have been eased somewhat by the announcement of a new business energy support package.
The new scheme will run from April 2023 and will mean all eligible UK Businesses will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024.
From 1 April 2023, eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6.97/MWh automatically applied to their gas bill and a unit discount up to £19.61/MWh applied to their electricity bill. Businesses benefiting from lower energy prices (i.e., businesses with unit prices of less than £107/MWh for gas and £302/MWh for electricity) will not receive this support.
Substantially higher-level support will be provided to businesses in sectors identified as being the most energy and trade intensive.
Customers do not need to apply for their discount. As with the current scheme, suppliers will automatically apply reductions to the bills of all eligible non-domestic customers.