Liz Truss unveils six-month energy support plan for businesses

Speaking today (8 September) in the Commons, Truss said that businesses, charities and public sector organisations would receive "equivalent" support to that which she had promised to UK households, where average household energy bills will be capped at £2,500 a year from the start of next month.

The support will offer businesses an equivalent guarantee for six months, she said.

In her address to the Commons, Truss described the hospitality and pub sectors as “vulnerable” and said that the Government was working with businesses to offer more support in the future.

“After those six months we will provide further support to vulnerable sectors such as hospitality, including our local pubs.”

Truss said that the Government would work with businesses to review where this should be targeted “to make sure those most in need get support”. The review will be declared within three months, “giving businesses certainty,” she added.

In her speech, Truss also called on businesses to do what they can to mitigate the rise in energy costs. "Companies with wherewithal need to be looking for ways they can improve energy efficiency and increase direct energy generation,” she said.

The energy support for households will last for two years and will save the average household around £1,000 a year, in addition to the £400 energy support scheme that the Government had previously announced.

Gas and electricity bills of a typical household had been due to rise from £1,971 to £3,549 in October.