Oral Answers to Questions

David Evennett Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Hunt]

That is exactly why we are taking difficult decisions to give this country a high-skill, high-wage economy—measures that the Scottish National party opposed at every step.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

10. What fiscal steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support businesses with energy costs.

[Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)]

11. What fiscal steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support businesses with energy costs.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Cartlidge]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is good when a Treasury Minister gets the numbers right.

I can confirm that the Government are supporting businesses with energy costs during the winter by means of the energy bill relief scheme. The scheme came into effect on 1 October 2022, and will run until 31 March this year. Following the review of the operation of the current scheme, we announced that we would launch a new energy bills discount scheme, which will provide eligible, non-domestic energy users—including eligible hospices—with a discount on their energy bills for a further 12 months from 1 April until 31 March next year.

[Sir David Evennett]

Businesses in my constituency are grateful for all the support that the Government have given them over the past few very difficult years—they appreciate that—but what steps are the Government taking to protect energy-intensive industries from high energy prices, about which they are concerned?

[James Cartlidge]

My right hon. Friend is right to highlight not only the generosity of the support but the issues facing specific sectors. The Treasury recognises that some businesses are highly exposed to both energy prices and international competition, which means that they are unable to pass on or absorb these higher costs. Following the review of the operation of the current energy bill relief scheme, we decided to target additional support beyond April this year at the most energy and trade-intensive sectors, which are primarily manufacturing businesses.