The Government should hand more power to energy regulator Ofgem, cut VAT and introduce pandemic-style emergency grants in order to help businesses facing rocketing costs, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said.
The business group has said action must be taken quickly to “protect businesses, livelihoods and jobs” in a letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and both candidates for the Conservative Party leadership.
Firms have seen their energy costs surge in recent months as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has accelerated increases in gas and oil prices.
On Wednesday, CF Industries' Billingham ammonia plant announced that production is to be halted as the company says the spiralling cost of gas is making it uneconomical.
It is the second stoppage for CF in that last 12 months due to the soaring natural gas prices - a move which has previously triggered warnings of food shortages across certain products, including beer. Since September last year the firm has struck three deals for government support to continue production - the latest in February.
In April, the Government pledged further support for high energy consuming businesse s including manufacturers through the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme.
Unlike consumers, there is no cap in place for commercial energy bills, although larger firms have sought to protect themselves through hedging agreements, where they agree a contracted price for a fixed period of time.
Business groups have highlighted that smaller companies, without the resources needed for hedging, are at particular risk from the impact of spiking prices.
The BCC proposed the measures as part of a possible “five-point plan” to support businesses.
It has called for Ofgem to be given more power to strengthen regulation of the energy market for businesses.
A temporary cut in VAT to 5% should take place to reduce energy costs, the BCC added.
It also urged politicians to consider Covid-style support by introducing Government Emergency Energy Grant for SMEs.
In the letter, the BCC said national insurance contributions should be reversed to hand more funds back to firms and workers, while it also said the Government should immediately review and reform the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to help bring down wage pressures and fill staffing vacancies.
Director general of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, said: “Today I have written to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and both Conservative Party leadership candidates expressing my concern for businesses and households during these challenging times.
“In June, we gave the Government until the Autumn budget to get its house in order, but the latest economic projections released since then have been worse than expected. We simply cannot afford to see another month of the same old news.
“The problems are well understood. We at the BCC are offering solutions. It is now over to the Government to take action to protect businesses, livelihoods and jobs.”
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