Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has demanded action to assist small local businesses from soaring energy bills, warning that high streets could turn into “ghost towns”.
As businesses are not covered by the Ofgem energy price cap, many are expecting to see their bills increase by around 400% in the coming months.
The Liberal Democrats have proposed a rescue package that would offer grants up to £50,000 to help small businesses, giving them a lifeline to keep their doors open.
The plans would benefit more than 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Bath, from family-owned high street shops to hairdressers.
This would include around 200 cafes, restaurants, pubs and other hospitality businesses in the constituency.
Under the proposed scheme, small businesses would be able to apply for Government grants covering 80% of the increase in their energy bills for one year, up to a maximum of £50,000. Nationally, the proposals would help 1.4 million small businesses across the UK.
The party is also calling on the new Prime Minister Liz Truss to introduce laws to support families and businesses with spiralling energy costs.
Liberal Democrat MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse said: “Bath’s local high streets risk being devastated by spiralling energy costs and turned into ghost towns, but the Conservatives don’t seem to care.
“Local shops, cafes and restaurants that survived through the Coronavirus pandemic, could now be taken down by soaring energy costs and forced to close their doors unless the Government steps up urgently.
“We need this energy bailout now to save our high streets, rescue small businesses and keep prices down for local families.
“We’ve known this hike was coming for months and the Government has done nothing.
“We cannot waste more time. The new Conservative Prime Minister must act immediately to protect families and small businesses in Bath.”
