Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of energy costs on the profitability of pubs and hospitality venues.

Tackling affordability is the Government’s number one priority and we recognise the challenges businesses, such as pubs and hospitality venues, face in securing appropriate, fair and competitively priced energy contracts.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers – including businesses – permanently.

Beyond this, the Government and Ofgem are taking decisive action to inform and protect non-domestic energy consumers as well as improving access to redress when issues occur.

Many businesses engage with the energy market through energy brokers and other third-party intermediaries. Government recently announced plans to appoint Ofgem to regulate intermediaries, when Parliamentary time allows.