Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President, Mark Tufnell, said: 

“The current outlook for rural businesses going into the winter months is grim. Businesses are already closing their doors due to spiking energy costs. 

“Many CLA members are off mains gas and depend on heating oil. It is pleasing to learn that the Government will be offering support for these customers with a dedicated fund. 

“The energy package announced by the Government today is welcomed to a degree, however a 6-month cap for businesses is too short a time horizon. A cap on the unit rate makes sense, but the Government must act to stop the increase in standing charges.

“Members’ data shows that there is no real competition in the energy market, and this needs to be reviewed urgently. In the meantime, immediate cutting of regulations on renewables such as small-scale solar and business rate holidays are just a few examples of what could be done to ease pressures being faced across the countryside.”