Edinburgh West MP calls for more support for businesses as energy bills soar

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine is demanding the Government rescues hundreds of small local businesses facing soaring energy bills.

Since businesses are not covered by the Ofgem energy price cap, many are expecting to see their bills rise by 400 per cent in the coming months.

The proposed Liberal Democrat rescue package would offer grants up to £50,000 to help small businesses cope.

The party is also calling on the new Prime Minister to introduce laws to support families and businesses with spiralling energy costs.

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine. Pic Lisa Ferguson.

The scheme would cost an estimated £10 billion and could be met by reversing the Conservatives’ planned tax cuts for big banks, which are seeing their profits grow with rising interest rates.

Ms Jardine said: “Edinburgh West’s shops and businesses risk being devastated by spiralling energy costs and the Conservatives don’t seem to get it or even care.

“Businesses, shops, cafes and restaurants that survived through the Coronavirus pandemic, could now be forced to close their doors by soaring energy costs unless the Government steps up urgently.

“We need this energy bailout now to 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 Edinburgh West as soon as Parliament returns.”