Jeremy Hunt: details of ongoing energy support to be announced 'shortly'

The government plans to set out details of its ongoing energy support package around Christmas, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed.

Since October wholesale gas and electricity costs for businesses are meant to have been capped by the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which is only set to last until April 2023.

Hospitality operators have told The Caterer the lack of certainty over future support has left them unable to budget for next year. Many have still been hit with huge rises in their bills and extra charges, while others have been unable to secure or renew contracts with suppliers.

Hunt appeared on LBC radio on Tuesday and was asked whether energy support would continue beyond April 2023. He said: "I can reassure people that we will be continuing with support, and we will be announcing very shortly the precise details of that support.

"We do want to continue supporting businesses going forwards."

He added that the government was "quite close" to the announcement and that he hoped it would be "just before of just after" Christmas.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said businesses needed clarity to stop price hikes being passed on to customers.

"These levels of inflation will not disappear overnight, and businesses are doing everything they can to keep costs down, but they need certainty on the future of the government's energy support scheme beyond March," said Nicholls.

"It's crucial that the hospitality sector is included in future energy support to help businesses survive and ensure they can keep prices down for customers."

Last week the Confederation of British Industry, one of the country's biggest business groups, called on the government to offer Covid-style grants to firms struggling with rising energy bills.

It also said businesses should be able to defer paying energy bills as part of an ongoing package of support beyond next spring.