Scottish Borders MP John Lamont has welcomed the news that the UK Government has extended the support it provides to businesses for energy bills until March 2024.
After the current scheme runs out in March, the new scheme will begin so that all eligible businesses will continue to receive a discount on high energy bills for a further year.
The new Energy Bills Discount Scheme will help businesses locked into contracts signed before recent substantial falls in the wholesale price manage their costs and provide others with reassurance against the risk of prices rising again.
From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, all eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6.97/MWh automatically applied to their gas bill and a unit discount of up to £19.61/MWh applied to their electricity bill.
Scottish Borders MP, John Lamont, said: “I welcome the news that the UK Government has launched the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme to provide longer term reassurance against the risk of rising prices.
“The UK Government’s top priority is to help families and businesses struggling with the cost of living. The extension of this scheme will be a big help to businesses across the Borders who are worried about energy prices.
“The new scheme gives businesses certainty and reflects the scale of the challenge they are facing in the coming months.
“Hundreds of businesses across the Scottish Borders will benefit from the extension of this scheme for another year.”
