Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to strengthen protections for pubs and hospitality businesses in the non-domestic energy market.

The Government recognises the pressures facing pubs and hospitality businesses.

Last year, we set out our intention to appoint Ofgem as regulator of the Third Party Intermediary market. This will strengthen confidence and transparency in the market, helping businesses access trusted advice and competitive energy contracts, while enabling them to benefit from innovation in the energy market.

Alongside these protections, the Government is taking action to reduce the underlying cost of energy across the economy, including through a new Cost Control Framework to control the costs placed on bills, as well as wider reforms to the grid and energy system.