400 Highland hospitality businesses 'face cliff edge' over energy bill rises, warns Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MP
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HUNDREDS of hospitality businesses in the Highlands face a 'cliff edge' when energy bills rise and government support is slashed in April, MP Jamie Stone has warned.
The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP has urged the UK government to urgently "think again" after analysis of official figures by the Liberal Democrats claimed 400 pubs, restaurants and cafés at risk of large bills rises.
They said that the businesses face a combined energy price increase of £1,772,576 when government support is rolled back in April – with average increases of £4431 predicted per business.
The UK government initially capped the cost of business energy, but from April they are replacing that scheme and will instead pay a small proportion of businesses' increased costs. The Lib-Dems have warned this means many pubs, cafés and restaurants will see a 90 per cent cut in help from the government.
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Local MP, Jamie Stone, is calling for the government to "think again". He said that businesses across the country are worried about the cliff edge they’re facing this year and ministers need to listen to businesses about the risks they are facing before they withdraw support.
Commenting, Mr Stone said: “Countless businesses in our area are facing a cliff edge this year. Our pubs, restaurants and cafés have endured so much already, people will be devastated to see any more harm to our local high streets.
“The government needs to give businesses around here the support they need to endure this energy bill catastrophe.
“Ministers in Westminster must not wait a moment more. It's time for them to intervene and think again about this change – if they don’t we could see thousands of businesses, including pubs, restaurants and cafés going bust. This could rip the heart out of our communities.”
