‘No plan’ to suspend Gov business
This means there will be no postponement of Prime Minister Liz Truss’ six-month strategy to combat energy cost rises for businesses, giving them the equivalent support as domestic households but for a shorter time period.
“There will be no winding down of Government,” confirmed the spokesperson, who said parliament would continue to operate in the same way most industries are doing.
Despite this, Government will pause most announcements, press releases and visits until after the official mourning period is finished out of respect for the Queen who died in Balmoral, Scotland, aged 96.
PM energy plan
The period of mourning will continue until Tuesday 20 September – the day after the state funeral which will take place at Westminster Abbey.
Truss’ energy support plans for businesses will be reviewed after six months to see if help should be targeted at specific sectors, with the possibility of it being extended to more vulnerable firms like hospitality.
It will mean energy costs are capped at the same price per unit that consumers pay under these new plans.
However, the household plan for domestic customers is set to be in place for two years. This included a price cap, which will be fixed at £2,500 a year from 1 October.
Mourning period
According to Truss, this will save the average household £1,000 a year, in addition to the £400 discount on bills, which was previously announced.
What’s more, businesses, including pubs, are not expected to close during the 10 day mourning period, official guidance has advised. However, they can do at the discretion of the business.
The guidance also said some sectors may want to consider closing or postponing events, dependant on their nature, particularly on the day of the state funeral, but this is at the discretion of the business.
