To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of the impact of the (a) Energy Bills Discount Scheme and (b) Energy Bill Relief Scheme on support for pubs.
Answered on
27 February 2023
The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April until March 2024 and continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers including pubs. A Treasury-led review into the operation of the current Energy Bill Relief Schemes was conducted with the objective of significantly reducing the overall burden on public finances, and ensuring support is targeted at those most in need and unable to adjust to recent energy price rises. The Government recognises these are difficult times for pubs, therefore, alongside the continued support with energy bills, the Government is also cutting business rates by 75% as well as a six-month extension to the alcohol duty freeze.