Tag Archive for Energy

How the new energy support scheme will work for SMEs

By Anna Jordan on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

UPDATED: The Government has announced a new energy support scheme that cuts financial support for business energy costs by 85 per cent from April 2023 until March 31, 2024.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said that the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, running until the end of March 2023, will cost £18bn. He added that the scheme was always going to be “time limited and intended as a bridge to allow businesses to adapt”.

The new 12-month energy support scheme will be capped at £5.5bn (based on estimated volumes) and “strikes a balance between supporting businesses over the next 12 month and limiting taxpayers’ exposure to volatile energy markets.”

Hunt announced its replacement, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, “giving businesses the certainty they need to plan ahead”.

What is the Energy Bills Discount Scheme?

The Energy Bills Discount Scheme is open to businesses who are:

On existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after December 1, 2021

Signing new fixed price contracts

On deemed / out of contract or standard variable tariffs

On flexible purchase or similar contracts

On variable ‘Day Ahead Index’ (DAI) tariffs (Northern Ireland scheme only)

Businesses will receive

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Upgrade to a smart meter and enjoy a smarter future

Originally written by Partner Content on Small Business
Smart meters are being installed in small businesses across Britain. A smart meter can give you the information you need to better manage your energy usage, helping you to manage your budgets and even save your business money.
If you have fewer than 10 employees you may be eligible to upgrade to a smart meter now.
This includes small businesses with separate business premises, and those based at home which use a separate gas or electricity meter for their business.
If you currently have a shared meter in your business space, ask your landlord about getting a smart meter for your building.
When it’s time for your installation, your energy supplier will work with you to find a time that’s convenient for you both. They may even offer installations on a Saturday, or in the evening, to minimise disruption to your business.
Most suppliers will provide your new meter at no extra cost, but contact your supplier today to find out more about what they are offering.
Upgrade to a smart meter and soon your business will be enjoying a smarter future.
Further reading
8 ways to save money running your microbusiness
Upgrade to a smart meter and enjoy a smarter future

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8 ways to save money running your microbusiness

Originally written by Partner Content on Small Business
Energy expenditure is the second largest cost after tax owing for microbusinesses that small business owners still estimate.
This is despite 56 per cent of microbusiness owners agreeing that having a better understanding of their energy use would give them greater control over business expenditure.
Smart Energy GB, the pan-utility company campaign to encourage adoption of smart meters, surveyed the owners of 1,000 microbusinesses (firms with less than 10 employees) to reveal the devastating financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three quarters of those polled were anxious about how they will keep their business afloat in the coming weeks and months. The biggest concerns for struggling microbusiness owners were a lack of customers, cashflow issues – a third now check their finances daily compared to just one in five before the pandemic – and that consumer confidence will not return quickly enough.
Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain, said: “COVID-19 has been hugely challenging for microbusinesses across Great Britain. As lockdown eases and firms get back to business, many are weighing up their financial situation and focusing on how to recover and move on. Now is therefore a good time to evaluate your business expenditure and

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9 of the best business energy suppliers based in the UK

Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
For many business owners, trade has slowed since we went into lockdown, but it needn’t be a reason to put everything to be on hold. You can use the extra time to fine tune your business operations – in this case, review your business energy supplier – and save a bit of cash.
The average small business uses 22,500 kWh a month for gas, and 32,500 kWh of electricity per month based on per annum energy use, according to BritishBusinessEnergy.co.uk. More on that below.

GasElectricity

Business sizeLower end usage (kWh)Higher end usage (kWh)Lower end usage (kWh)Higher end usage (kWh)

Micro5,00015,0005,00015,000

Small15,00030,00015,00025,000

Medium30,00065,00025,00050,000

Source: BritishBusinessEnergy.co.uk
Prices are highly individualised in the business energy market. Providers can give you a quote to get a better sense of what your energy cost will be. This will be based on your postcode and your average consumption, but companies might want a little more information about you and your business.
If you’ve just moved into a new premises and you haven’t sorted out a new energy deal, you’ll be moved onto a deemed/out of contract tariff with the previous occupant’s supplier. And yes, the rates are higher than on regular tariffs.
Your cheapest option is to go on

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