Cost of living - help for businesses

Running from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, the government scheme will help businesses with the cost of energy. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme aims to help businesses, charities, and public sector organisations with their winter energy bills.

Eligibility

The scheme is available to those who are:

• on an existing fixed price contract which was agreed on or after 1 December 2021
• signing a new fixed price contract
• on a default or variable tariff
• on a flexible purchase or similar contract.

Discount amount

Please note: you do not need to apply for the scheme. The discount will automatically be applied to your bill.

The scheme covers the period 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. It will be the difference between the wholesale cost and the government supported price:

• £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity
• £75 per MWh for gas.

A maximum discount applies for those on a default or variable contract:

• £345 per MWh for electricity
• £91 per MWh for gas.

Energy Bill Relief Scheme - more information on GOV.UK

Get the most from your energy consumption by understanding:

• your energy use
• your energy bills
• how to review your business energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency for SMEs on GOV.UK

Please note: this guide was produced in 2015, so some of the figures will be out of date. The advice is still relevant.

Understand your energy bill - support from EDF Energy

Please note: you may find your bill uses a lot of jargon. Some companies provide a 'jargon buster' so you can understand your bill better. You can access an example jargon buster on the e.on Next website.

Sustainability resources

For resources and guides to support businesses in understanding sustainability visit The Carbon Trust's website. There are also lots of resources online to help you calculate your business's carbon footprint, such as the carbon calculator provided by The Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Our business support team will ensure that you gain access to the support and services relevant to your business needs. Everything we do is designed to help businesses thrive in the East Riding.

If you already have a dedicated business advisor contact them if you have any questions. If you do not have an advisor, and you want to understand the support available, please contact us:

Tel: (01482) 391622
Email: business.support@eastriding.gov.uk

Our highly-experienced and knowledgeable team of advisors understand how complex business can be. Whether you are a startup or an established business, you can access one-to-one support, workshops, regular news updates, networking opportunities, and much more. Support is directly tailored to your business needs.

We are also currently looking at options as to how we can further support businesses in reducing their energy usage and carbon footprint. More information will be available in early January 2023.

Open 4 Business portal

Register on the Open4Business portal and start searching for any national business schemes, or grants for specific projects. The portal can help you find relevant funding routes to maintain and grow your business:

Open 4 Business portal

Government Industrial EnergyTransformation Fund

Phase 2 of the Government Industrial Energy Transformation Fund has been announced. This offers grant support for feasibility and engineering studies, and for the deployment of industrial energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects.

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund - more information on GOV.UK

This may be a worrying time for your employees. We offer a range of support options that may be of benefit to them in our Cost of living - help for households section:

Cost of living - help for households

The government also provides information on help that may be available:

Help for households on GOV.UK

If at any point, your business is going to struggle to pay its energy bills, please seek advice from:

Ofgem - advice and support for energy bill payment

Citizens Advice - energy bill advice for small businesses

Your business may qualify for up to 100 per cent business rates relief if you occupy:

• only one property with a rateable value of under £15,000; or
• one main property with a rateable value of under £15,000 and other additional properties. Each additional property must have a rateable value of £2,899 or less and the total rateable value of all your properties is £19,999 or less.

Small business rates relief - find out if you are eligible and how to apply