Nursery World - Concerns raised for sector as Government reduces business energy relief

There are fears over the financial viability of childcare settings with the news that business energy relief will be reduced from the end of March.

The Government has announced reduced financial support for businesses to meet energy costs, PHOTO Adobe Stock

The exchequer secretary to the Treasury James Cartlidge confirmed yesterday that financial support offered to businesses to help with their energy bills is being reduced.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS), which comes to an end on 31 March 2023, currently provides a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic consumers. This includes public sector organisations, voluntary sector organisations like charities, and businesses. It came into effect on 1 October 2022.

It is being replaced by a new scheme, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), to provide support at a less generous level. Coming into effect from 1 April, it will provide £5.5bn of transitional support for businesses over 12 months to 31 March 2024.

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