Energy Bill Relief Scheme Ends: BCC Warns of an 85% Cut in Support
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has sounded an urgent warning that when the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) wraps up this Saturday, businesses will jettison a staggering 85% of the financial cushion they’ve been leaning on.
Business Leaders in a Hurry
“The reality is clear,” says Alex Veitch, director of policy and public affairs at the BCC. “We’ve been shouting for months that a large chunk of companies will find themselves scrambling to cover their power bills once the support envelope shrinks by a lion‑hearted 85%. Many firms are left with only a sliver of what they once received.
More than half of the surveyed firms predict that keeping the lights on will become a daily challenge starting tomorrow. Yet, the government has turned a blind eye to all the pleas we made in this month’s spring Budget.
- Flexibility to boost aid for those in dire need? Ignored
- Streamlined VAT claims on energy? Ignored
- Investment in better business energy efficiency? Ignored
Regulation Matters, But No One Listens
In addition to financial support, the BCC had also begged for tighter regulation of the business energy sector. Once again, the government appears to have missed the memo. The call for stricter oversight has been met with a deafening silence.
What This Means for Companies
Without the EBRS backing, many businesses are stuck in a precarious position. Even those that were said “desperately” in need of assistance face a steep climb to navigate higher energy costs with no safety net to cushion the blow.
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