Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to create a grant scheme for the hospitality sector to help cover rising energy bills.

Businesses, including the hospitality sector, have already benefitted from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which ended on 31 March and provided £7 billion of support. Eligible businesses will continue to get a discount on gas and electricity bills under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024.

Wholesale prices have fallen significantly, and it is important that businesses continue to shop around for the best deals as energy prices will vary between energy suppliers. Businesses fixed into costly long-term contracts are more likely to receive EBDS support due to how the baseline discount is calculated.