Enough already with these insane energy bills for small businesses!

It's ridiculous. Every quarter I'm bracing myself for the new energy bill and it feels like a gamble with my businesses. We've absorbed so much cost over the last few years, from ingredients to wages, and the energy price hikes have been a massive punch to the gut. It’s not just the amount, it’s the volatility. I can’t budget properly when prices can swing so wildly, and that makes planning for expansion or even just hiring new staff a nightmare.

What we need is a proper system to shield small businesses from these extreme price shocks. Not a handout, but a predictable pricing mechanism. Maybe a capped rate for businesses under a certain size, tied to wholesale prices but with a sensible maximum. We’re the ones employing people locally and keeping our high streets alive, but we’re treated like we can just absorb endless increases.