Bills ‘will spike again when new cap ends’ as Scots firms warn six months help may not be enough

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scottish businesses have voiced concerns over sharp energy price rises after the end of a new Government scheme. UK Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg announced plans yesterday to slash the cost of wholesale gas and electricity for business customers for six months from October.

The cap will mean the “supported ­wholesale price” will be £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas – around half the projected price on the open market and equivalent to the scheme in place for households.Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron raised concerns that energy prices could spike after March and put companies at risk, as well as calling for clarity on who will be able to access support after the deadline.One Scots café owner has revealed his business is barely breaking even after receiving a staggering summer energy bill for more than £8600.John Mackenzie says the costs are a “major blow” for his café The Boxcar Coffee and Yard in Aberdeen.

The 43-year-old claims the bill covering the same timeframe cost him less than £1000 last year.John, who also works as a consultant offshore, owns four businesses which he believes will help keep the company afloat, but fears for smaller businesses without the same security.John shared a photo of his SSE bill on Facebook, writing: “We installed LED lights, installed a smaller, newer coffee machine, we replaced old fridges and freezers with new energy efficient ones and there is not much else we can change to reduce our power consumption.”Speaking yesterday, John said: “I’m in a fortunate position where it’s not my sole business or form of income.