Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Alistair Houghton

Liz Truss energy plan - tell us what you think about support for business and fracking plans

Prime Minister Liz Truss last week unveiled her plans to help solve the energy crisis - including short-term help for businesses.

Now we at BusinessLive want to know what you think about the proposed £150bn package.

Ms Truss confirmed on Thursday that domestic energy bills would be frozen at around £2,500.

She said the Ofgem price cap would be replaced with a 'two year energy price guarantee', meaning a typical UK household would pay no more than £2,500 a year on bill for two years from October 1.

Meanwhile, a scheme for businesses, schools, hospitals, other public organisations and charities will 'offer equivalent support' for six months. Vulnerable' industries such as pubs and hospitality, could then receive longer-term support that will be set out later, with a review in three months deciding which sectors should receive ongoing help.

The Prime Minister told MPs: “This is the moment to be bold. We are facing a global energy crisis and there are no cost-free options.”

The scheme is set to cost at least tens of billions, and could cost up to £150bn.

Ms Truss said she would not “give in” to Labour’s calls for a new windfall tax on the soaring profits of energy and gas giants to pay for a reduction in bills.

Instead it will be paid for by borrowing, with Ms Truss promising Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will give specifics during his emergency fiscal announcement later this month.

Meanwhile Ms Truss also announced the lifting of the ban on fracking in England. She said shale gas could start flowing in six months - but there will be strong opposition from local campaigners and environmentalists and there are still questions over how much difference fracking would make to solving Britain's long-term energy problems.

Martin McTague, national chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “It’s a huge relief for millions of small businesses to hear confirmation they will be part of the Government’s plans to help on energy.

“Many have been pushed to the brink by crippling energy bills, and so it is welcome that help is on the way. Done right, this will be a lifeline – protecting jobs, communities and future economic recovery.

“However, the announcement is very high-level and sparse on detail so we will be working with the new Government to clarify what happens next.

“Small businesses’ instant reaction is that this is not enough information, yet, for them to plan.”

Let us know what you think by filling in the survey above, or filling it in at this link.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.