Businesses to get backdated energy bill support if scheme delayed

The government has promised to backdate any help with businesses' energy bills following concerns its support scheme may not be ready to launch until November.

It comes after the Financial Times reported that firms had been told they would have to wait longer than households to start receiving their share of the promised £150b aid package.

Support for households is due to kick in from 1 October but it is understood the business scheme could take longer to set up as there is no existing commercial price cap.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to deliver an emergency budget next Friday (23 September).

A government spokesperson said: "We will confirm further details of the business support scheme next week. The scheme will support businesses with their October energy bills, including through backdating if necessary."

Last week nearly 300 UK hospitality businesses signed an open letter to the government warning the industry would not survive without support to deal with rising costs.

Marriott International, Mitchells & Butlers, Pizza Hut UK, Caffè Nero, and Merlin Entertainments are among the signatories, alongside dozens of smaller pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels in England, Scotland and Wales.

Hospitality and tourism trade bodies previously warned the sectors had no time for 'drip-fed' support measures with many businesses already closing or reducing trading hours due to spiralling costs.

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