bira offers guidance on energy bill relief scheme

Posted on 9 Nov 2022

bira has been offering guidance to retailers on how to take advantage of the Government’s energy bill relief scheme.

Energy bills for businesses across the country are to be reduced from this month as Government support begins. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme significantly reduces the amount businesses can be charged, covering energy use from 1st October 2022.

Support will run for six months to shield businesses from the recent energy price surge, which we hope to see prevent unnecessary insolvencies and protecting jobs and livelihoods.

The scheme applies to energy use from 1st October, but savings applied to October bills are typically received in November with bira advising that retailers should start to feel the benefits this month. They say that it is vitally important therefore for retailers to check their energy bills as soon as possible to ensure they are seeing savings kicking in. If retailers cannot see their automatic discount in place, retailers are advised to get in touch with their energy provider immediately.

The Government is currently carrying out a review to consider how to support businesses with energy bills after April 2023, with any support being targeted to those most affected by high energy prices.
The level of price reduction for each business will vary depending on their contract type and circumstances.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

There is new guidance on the scheme, published 1st November, which provides further information on eligibility, operation and enforcement. This can be found here.