A third of small businesses could make staff work from home to reduce spiralling energy bills

The crisis afflicting the energy sector is not just impacting energy suppliers. It is rippling out right across the UK economy and small businesses are taking a hammering to their income as a result.

Surging gas prices have led to soaring energy bills, a situation that looks set to only get worse throughout the winter and into spring 2022.

The situation has led to 15 energy suppliers being forced out of the market this year so far with more expected to follow. Outside of the energy retail sector, smaller businesses are now being squeezed by the price hikes with 62% saying they are concerned about rising energy costs.

With winter rapidly approaching many businesses are worried about whether they will be able to continue to operate. As a result, many companies are planning to reduce costs, whether by redundancies or temporary closures.

“Small businesses are the beating heart of the British economy. But it is clear concerns about energy use are affecting how many of them will continue to operate this winter,” said Iagan MacNeil, the head of policy at Smart Energy GB.

Also read: Energy Billing – How does it work?



Another lockdown?

All the signs are there that the UK is heading back towards Covid-19 restrictions.

As we have witnessed before we are seeing calls for tighter restrictions to be implemented in the media, politicians denying that such measures will be imposed and the slogan of ‘Protect our NHS’ doing the rounds once again.

The imposition of another full national lockdown is likely to go down as well as a lead balloon as businesses are still reeling from the previous lockdowns and the economy is still highly vulnerable.

If a full lockdown is not imposed, working from home measures will likely be announced over the coming days or weeks as the government tries to save face and look as though it is doing something to appease the media.

Also read: Covid-19 has changed the relationship between Energy Suppliers and their customers forever

Energy Efficiency

9 in 10 SMEs surveyed also said that they were trying to become more energy efficient with 57% of employees claiming that they were reducing their energy use as much as they can.

However, the survey also found that 60% of employees charge their phones at work to avoid using energy at home and 29% said they showered at the workplace.

“Whether it’s turning off unused equipment or ensuring your bills are accurate, it all adds up. But the solution needs to be a collaborative approach with everyone playing a part.

“Many businesses are eligible to get a smart meter installed on their premises and this can help by giving you more control over your energy spend - a vital tool for those worried about rising prices,” Mr MacNeil added.

Further Reading

Energy Price Forecast 2022: A ravaged energy retail sector, soaring wholesale gas prices, Covid-19 and much more

Government offers £5000 for heat pump adoption despite warnings from the Global Warming Policy Forum

over water pollution and public health

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