Small Businesses Urged To Contact Their Energy Supplier For Help

It is the time of year where everyone’s energy bills soar, whether you are a householder or a business. This latest cold snap has very much brought this into focus and there will certainly be many small businesses up and down Northern Ireland who are struggling to find the funds to pay their latest bills.

To help these businesses the utility regulator has told them to contact their electricity and/or gas supplier as a matter of urgency for advice on what options are available to them. There have been some extra measures already put into operation by the utility regulator and these are called Northern Ireland’s Energy Charters and run until the end of March. Within these measures is the Small Business Energy Charter.

The Small Business Energy Charter

There are certain energy suppliers who have signed up to the Small Business Energy Charter, and they have given a commitment that they will work with small businesses who are in payment arrears to offer them reasonable repayment options. They must also ensure any correspondence with small businesses is open, engaging and shows that the suppliers want to assist the businesses as much as they possibly can.

January Will Be A Difficult Month For Small Businesses

Here is what Sinéad Dynan, the Utility Regulator’s head of consumer and business protection, said about the issue of high energy bills, which is copied from an article on the Belfast Newsletter website. She said:

“We understand that January will be a difficult month for small businesses across Northern Ireland as they navigate the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“At the Utility Regulator, we endeavour to protect the short and long-term interests of all consumers of electricity, gas and water, and would urge any small business owner who is struggling with their energy bills this winter to reach out to their supplier for advice on available support measures, including those outlined in the Small Business Energy Charter for winter 2024/2025

Sinéad added: “If your business is struggling to make ends meet, you can also contact Advice NI for free debt advice.”

As well as contacting your energy supplier and Advice NI if you are a business who are finding times hard, you can also get in touch with us here at WHR Accountants. We have many clients who we give expert financial advice to, so that they can negotiate any bumps in the road and start to thrive and grow. Contact our offices on 028 3752 2909.