Government launches survey to find sectors for long-term energy support

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a new survey, calling on businesses to provide information about their energy usage ahead of decisions on future government support.

The survey is part of the government’s information gathering process to determine which businesses should be considered for longer term support, based on their energy usage and their viability.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme, launched on 1 October, will run for an initial six-month period for all non-domestic energy users - including all businesses, the voluntary sector like charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals - till 31 March 2023.

The government has promised that the scheme will be reviewed after three months to consider which sectors need support after the initial period.

Earlier this week, the government has expanded the eligibility criteria of the scheme to include all fixed contracts signed from 1 December 2021, instead of 1 April 2022 as announced last month.

The scheme currently provides discounts on energy bills for businesses on both fixed and variable contracts. The discount is applied automatically to the wholesale element of the energy cost – businesses do not have to take any action to apply for or receive the support.