Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what methodology his Department used to assess the impact of energy costs on small businesses; and whether he plans to introduce further support to businesses for energy costs after 1 April 2023.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme review included an assessment of qualitative and quantitative evidence from stakeholders, including small businesses, on sectors that may be most affected by rising energy prices based on energy and trade intensity.

The outcome of the review informed the criteria of the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), which will continue to provide eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users with a discount on high energy bills from April until 31 March 2024. A higher level of support will be provided for the most energy and trade intensive sectors who meet agreed thresholds for energy and trade intensity through the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) Scheme element of the EBDS.

The methodology used to determine the eligibility of SIC Codes for the higher Energy and Trade Intensive Industry (ETII) support is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-discount-scheme-factsheet.