Government Ignoring Small Hospitality Business Energy Costs.

Whilst the Conservative government continues to deal with scandals and sleaze allegations, the real world and its problems lurches on. Small businesses across the country are facing a huge energy bill increase once Government support is slashed in April. The Government initially capped the cost of business energy, but from April they are replacing that scheme and will instead just pay a small proportion of businesses' increased costs. This means many pubs, cafes and restaurants will see a 90% cut in help from the government.

In North West Hampshire, there are 105 pubs, restaurants and cafes at risk, facing a rise in energy bills by thousands of pounds. Analysis shows that the average bill increase per business is likely to be £4500. These small businesses are an important part not just of our economic but also social structure and do much to contribute to our communities.

The Government needs to give businesses around here the support they need to endure this energy bill catastrophe. We have seen in the press the disturbing trend of small businesses closing down because of rising costs particularly energy. Our pubs, restaurants and cafes have endured so much already, people will be devastated to see any more harm to our local high streets or villages.

Ministers in Westminster need to get moving. Liberal Democrats are calling for them to intervene and think again about this change - if they don't we could see thousands of businesses, including pubs, restaurants and cafes going bust across the country. This could rip the heart out of our communities.

How to pay for it? The answer is to properly implement a Windfall Tax regime on energy companies, instead of granting them so many exemptions that the tax take disappears.

Cllr Luigi Gregori