Trade bodies including UK Hospitality and Campaign for Pubs have welcomed Aberconwy MP Robin Millar’s comments which highlight the impact of soaring energy costs on businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
During Treasury Questions in Parliament this week Robin asked the Treasury Minister:
“The Treasury was quick to act during the pandemic when hoteliers in Aberconwy told me that banks were directing them to their premium lending products instead of the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
“Now those same hoteliers are telling me that the energy supply market seems to have failed. They are seeing their bills tripling just as market rates drop below Government support levels. They fear that the supplier’s thumb is on their side of the scales. None of this will be new to the Minister, so can he please tell me what he is doing and can he meet me and sector representatives to make sure that some common sense is brought back to energy supply contracts?”
Treasury Minister Gareth Davies MP replied:
“My Honourable Friend is a great champion of businesses in his constituency. In the first instance, I advise businesses always to contact suppliers to discuss their contracts. We are alive to the fact that some businesses are having difficulties securing the benefit of falling wholesale prices from their energy suppliers. In January, the Chancellor wrote to Ofgem, which oversees the energy market for consumers, and Ofgem has now launched an investigation into the non-domestic energy market. We await its conclusions, and, at that point, I would be very happy to meet my Honourable Friend.”
Following Treasury Questions, UK Hospitality said:
“Thank you to Robin Millar MP for raising the important issue of soaring energy costs in Parliament yesterday. We are pleased that Gareth Davies MP has agreed to meet to discuss hospitality's energy concerns.”
Campaign for pubs Tweeted:
“Thanks @RobinMillarMP for raising the crisis facing hotels & the hospitality sector in Aberconwy & nationally. The current energy support for businesses including hotels & pubs is completely inadequate. More support is needed to get through this crisis or tourism will suffer.”
Robin said:
“The tourism and hospitality sectors make an invaluable contribution to our local economy here in Aberconwy. Promoting jobs and businesses is a key part of Our Plan for Aberconwy and I will do all that I can to secure the support with energy costs that is needed. I am pleased that the Treasury Minister has committed in Parliament to meeting with me and I look forward to taking the concerns of local businesses to him in the very near future.”