Now is not the time to reduce business energy support

by | Jan 11, 2023 | News | 0 comments

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has expressed concern following the government announcement that energy support for businesses will be reduced from April. The HTA represents 1,500 member businesses from across the UK including garden centres and nursery growers.

Jennifer Pheasey, the HTA’s director of public affairs commented:
“The news that energy bill support for firms is to be reduced from April is a concern, though not entirely a surprise, despite our calls to give businesses greater reassurance in difficult financial times. This will likely be a large reduction in energy support, which is not good news for our members, who are already dealing with high inflation and increases in the cost of doing business. Moreover, other utilities will come under pressure again in the summer if last year’s drought is repeated.

“It is important to remember that a thriving horticulture industry plays a significant role for the economy, in job creation and improving the environment, and offers health and wellbeing benefits.”

Under the new energy support scheme, starting on 1st April, businesses will get a discount on wholesale prices rather than costs being capped, like in the current scheme.

The government’s statement explained:

“As per the current scheme the government will provide a discount on your gas and electricity unit prices. Eligible non-domestic consumers will now receive a per-unit discount to their energy bills during the 12-month period from April 2023 to March 2024, subject to a maximum discount. The relative discount will be applied if wholesale prices are above a certain price threshold. For most non-domestic energy users in Great Britain and Northern Ireland these maximum discounts have been set at:

  • electricity – £19.61 per megawatt hour (MWh) with a price threshold of £302 per MWh.
  • gas – £6.97 per MWh with a price threshold of £107 per MWh

The discount is calculated as the difference between the wholesale price associated with an energy contract and the price threshold. The discount is phased in when the contract’s wholesale price exceeds the floor price, until the total discount per MWh reaches the maximum discount for that fuel.”

more latest news ➡

Westland growing media products added to Westland Live

Westland adds growing media to Westland Live

Westland Horticulture, home to brands such as New Horizon, Boost, Resolva, Peckish, and Kent & Stowe, has announced it has added its growing media category to Westland Live, giving its customers a one-stop shop for its brands and products. Westland Live is an...

British Garden Centres

How big is Christmas for British Garden Centres?

The highly-anticipated Christmas season has arrived early this year for British Garden Centres, as it opened its doors to customers in September to an influx of pent-up shoppers. Following a temperamental and wet summer and a few years of subdued Christmases due to...

Bradford garden centre group wins award

Bradford garden centre group wins community award

The team at a Bradford-based garden centre group is celebrating after winning a regional business award. Yorkshire Garden Centres, owner of Tong, Tingley, Bingley and Otley Garden Centres, won the Community category of the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business...

Feverfew launched new gardening apparel for women

Meet the supplier: Feverfew Garden Co

Taking the gardening glove market by storm, Feverfew Garden Co is the UK’s first garden wear brand exclusively designed for women, by women. Garden Centre Retail catches up with Rachel Eunson, the driving force behind the brand. As with many recent ventures,...

HSBC economist

Ex HSBC economist to speak at GCA conference 2024

Former HSBC Head of Economics will be helping delegates at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference understand the resurgence of inflation and the challenges that it continues to bring (January 28 until 31, 2024). Mark Berrisford-Smith, who worked...

Primeur Whiskey Barrel

Primeur launches new range of recycled planters

Looking to the 2024 season, garden retailers can step up their sustainability game and enhance their outdoor offer with a brand-new Primeur range of recycled planter designs and colourways. If you are keen to stay ahead of the curve and meet the increasing demand...

Read GCR's latest edition!

Subscribe ToThe Wednesday Word

Subscribe To
The Wednesday Word

 

Get all the latest news, events & more straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This