BIRA calls for business energy rates support

The British Independent Retailers Association has promised it will continue to fight for clarity and support from the government on energy rate support for businesses.

BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has said they will be continuing to engage with OFGEM to provide value insight into the industry on the non-domestic gas and electricity market.

OFGEM has requested submissions from stakeholders, such as BIRA, to give their views on the state of the non-domestic retail energy market as a whole, helping them to understand whether and where these are temporary or isolated to specific suppliers, or if they are systemic, potentially requiring changes in regulation.

"BIRA is engaging with OFGEM to ensure that the energy suppliers are genuinely supporting commercial businesses and making the best rates available," said CEO Andrew Goodacre.

"The current government support scheme will end at the end of March and replaced by one that only offers 94 per cent less support. I also urge all businesses to speak to their energy suppliers on a regular basis to ensure that the service levels and rates charged are as they should be."