The Financial Support Available for Non-Domestic Energy

We all know that the cost of living is spiralling.

You don’t need to read it online – you can see it in the shops and feel it in your wallet.

But not everyone is aware of the support available when it comes to helping with energy bills.

Keep reading to find out what is available and how to claim it.

What financial support is available?

We have created a list of the financial support available from the UK Government:

Energy Bill Relief Scheme

On 21 September HMG announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to support non-domestic customers with their energy bills. Further information on the Energy Bill Relief Scheme can be found online.

Energy Bills Support Scheme

Under the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) business premises are not included to receive support. On 29^th July the government set out the details of the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) following the technical consultation that ran from April to May.

Under the EBSS, households will receive £400 off their energy bills from October. The discount will be made in 6 instalments to help families throughout the winter period. Under the EBSS business premises are out of scope to receive support. BEIS has confirmed that further funding will be made available to provide equivalent support of £400 for energy bills to the 1% of households that are not currently reached through the EBSS. This includes those who do not have a domestic electricity meter or a direct relationship with an energy supplier. Details on how and when these households across Great Britain can access this support will be made this Autumn, so keep your eyes peeled for any announcements.

What non-financial advice and support is available?

Charities and organisations

There are many charities and organisations who are able to offer advice.

Citizens Advice

If you can’t find a way to pay or your supplier isn’t helping you in the way you need, you can get help from Citizens Advice. This is also true if you are a microbusiness. Employees in the Extra Help Unit could take on your case if you or a domestic household attached to your supply are in a vulnerable situation.

You can Freephone 0808 223 1133 or use their online webchat from 9am-5pm.

For textphone, dial 18001 followed by the helpline number.

To contact a Welsh-speaking adviser freephone 0808 223 1144. If you prefer to speak to someone in person, check online or ask in your community where you can find your local Citizens Advice.

Further information and advice is available at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Advice Direct Scotland

If you are a microbusiness and are having an issue with your supplier or struggling to pay, energyadvice.scot is the web address of Scotland’s national energy advice service run by Advice Direct Scotland. They can provide free, practical advice and information on energy-related matters to Scottish citizens.

Freephone 0808 196 8660 or use their online webchat Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Samaritans

If you feel your debts are getting out of control, Samaritans are there to listen and won’t judge or tell you what to do. They are well placed to listen to your concerns and problems.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

You can also send a letter for free addressed to ‘Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS’.

Samaritans have also created a self-help app which provides support without you having to discuss your feelings with someone else. More information is available at https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/.

If you would like emotional support in Welsh, there is a Welsh language line which is free to call on 0808 164 0123. You can also send a letter in Welsh addressed to Freepost

Energy efficiency advice

The Carbon Trust offers businesses free, independent advice on efficient energy usage and installing sources of renewable energy. You can use their Green Business Directory to find suppliers that they have accredited. The National Energy Foundation YouGen website offers a similar tool.

The Energy Savings Trust website lists case studies, energy efficiency resources, and runs events to help businesses make informed choices, including supply chain advice.

The Smallbusiness.co.uk website provides a range of online energy efficiency news for small business owners, including start-ups.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s UK Business Climate Hub is a great resource for SMEs to join the Race to Zero and offers practical advice on how to reduce emissions, including sector-specific guidance for six pilot sectors: agriculture, construction, hospitality, retail, manufacture and tech.

To support on providing relevant advice, SMEs are invited to download a free copy of BEIS’s sponsored BS ISO 50005 energy management standard that provides support on energy management. The BS ISO 50005 standard helps to develop a practical, low cost-approach to energy management and reduces energy consumption, energy bills, and carbon footprint while allowing for SMEs to implement the standard through a phased/staged implementation approach.

You can check GOV.UK’s Energy Technology List if you are planning on investing in new plant equipment. It covers independently verified energy-efficient products such as boilers, lighting, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Following on from this you should look at business-finance support schemes offered by suppliers and the government that may be able to pay for improvements. Some specialist agencies or charities may run funding and support schemes too. Ask around for information in your business networks.

Businesses in Wales can also access advice via Business Wales, a Welsh Government service providing advice to businesses on energy management.

Small to medium sized enterprises in Scotland can visit the Scottish Government funded Business Energy Scotland advice service for free impartial support and access to funding to help businesses save energy, money and carbon. Zero Carbon Business offers guidance and support on helping your small business to become a net zero business.

Business energy schemes, loans and grants

There are a number of advice and support schemes that offer loans, grants, or subsidised energy-saving measures to support small businesses with reducing their impact on the environment. These can help with:

• energy efficiency measures such as revising production processes

• upfront costs of investing in energy-efficient equipment

• waste management and reduction initiatives

• sustainable development initiatives.

Start by searching the GOV.UK business finance and support finder and ask your local council if they provide energy efficiency funding or sustainable business growth grants. You will normally need to submit a business case to apply. Some initiatives may also be eligible for business innovation funding.

You can also explore if you can get paid to generate your own renewable power and heat through the national Smart Export Guarantee scheme. The government is proposing two new energy efficiency schemes from 2022 to replace the current domestic and non-domestic renewable heat incentives:

• Clean Heat Grant – upfront capital funding for households or businesses that integrate

green heating technologies

• Green Gas Support Scheme – funding support for biomethane injection to increase the

amount of green gas in the national grid

As Ofgem is the intended schemes administrator they will publish more information as the Government progresses with its proposals.

Business grants and services from energy suppliers

Energy companies may offer small business energy-efficiency schemes or grants. Contact your Energy Supplier to find out more. Eligibility criteria and availability will depend on things like:

• size of your business

• location

• business sector

Other business energy grants and support services

• Explore free grants search services, like Grants Online.

• Let’s Talk has information on business funds some charities offer and how to apply.

• WRAP may offer grants and investments supporting business waste reduction costs.

• Business Energy Scotland provide free, impartial support and access to funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Scotland save energy, carbon, and money and have loans available to SME’s.

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