Trade associations make plea to protect small businesses from soaring energy costs
A joint letter has been sent to Angus MacNeil MP, chair of the newly formed cross-party Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, by prominent British trade organisations, including the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF).
The letter highlights the unprecedented cost pressures arising from non-domestic energy supply and emphasises the urgent need for an inquiry into supplier behaviour.
Together, the organisations represent businesses supporting millions of jobs across the country, with other organisations involved including the British Beer and Pub Association, the Association of Convenience Stores, and the Federation of Small Businesses.
The aim is to protect small businesses across the country from being wiped out by skyrocketing energy costs, as the organisations expressed concerns about the immense burden placed on small businesses due to the sharp rise in energy costs over the past year.
The groups have warned about the potential devastating losses that communities and high streets across the country may face if immediate action is not taken to safeguard businesses from exorbitant costs and poor practices by energy suppliers.
In a joint statement, a representative for the organisations said:
"Business owners across the country are feeling powerless at the hands of energy suppliers.
“They have seen energy bills rise exponentially in the past year and despite heading into warmer months this pain is set to continue.
“Some businesses had little or no choice but to lock into extremely costly contracts at the height of the energy crisis and will and many will be paying over the odds for the next 12 months and beyond.
"These local businesses are well-loved assets, central pillars in their neighbourhoods, and if it weren't for energy bills wiping out their profits would be running successfully thanks to the ongoing custom and support of their communities.
"We are urging the Committee to use its powers to recognise this crisis as a real tangible threat to the existence of businesses across the country and convene an urgent inquiry into the conduct of suppliers."