In a welcome move to support small businesses, the UK government has announced plans to expand the reach of the Energy Ombudsman to include firms with fewer than 50 employees. This will provide over 200,000 additional businesses with access to free, impartial advice and assistance in resolving issues with their energy suppliers.
Previously, this service were only available to micro businesses with fewer than 10 employees. This meant that a significant number of small businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and retail sectors, were not eligible for this vital support.
The decision to expand the Ombudsman's scope is a recognition of the growing challenges faced by small businesses in the energy market. Rising energy prices have placed a significant strain on businesses' budgets, and many have experienced issues with their suppliers, such as billing errors or inaccurate meters.
The expansion of the Ombudsman's services will provide a lifeline to these businesses, enabling them to resolve disputes with their suppliers without the need for costly legal action. The Ombudsman will offer free advice, mediation, and arbitration services, helping businesses to protect their rights and obtain fair settlements.
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees can now make a complaint to the Ombudsman by filling out an online form or calling their free helpline. The Ombudsman will then investigate the complaint and work with the supplier to find a mutually agreeable resolution.
This expansion of support is a welcome step towards ensuring that small businesses are able to access the same level of protection as larger businesses when it comes to energy supplier issues. It is a recognition of the contribution that small businesses make to the UK economy and a commitment to their ongoing success.
Why do businesses need energy support?
With energy prices being so high during the energy crisis, many businesses have struggled especially after not getting much help. Therefore, energy regulators such as Ofgem have noticed this struggle and tried to help these businesses out by ensuring they have some support when it comes to how energy suppliers can deal with them.
How could Resolve Energy help?
At Resolve Energy we not only procure your contract for you, but also look after all your energy needs throughout the entirety of your contract. When working with us if you have any suppliers’ issues, we might be able to help you. This ensures that you can focus on your business needs and let us take care of your energy needs.
If you're looking to save money on your energy bills then why not get in touch today? The relationships Resolve Energy has developed with over 24 of the UK’s biggest business energy suppliers allows our energy experts to source the best business energy rates available for your company right when you need them. Request a free quote today and start saving money on your energy.
