Inaccurate billing continues to dissatisfy business customers

7th October 2022 Business Utilities |

New research from CCW’s joint business customer insight survey with Ofwat has found that tackling business customers’ concerns over the accuracy of their water bills, and improving customer service, should be the top priorities for water business suppliers. The research revealed customer satisfaction is at 77%, still below the high point of 80% seen in…

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Government outlines plans to help cut energy bills for businesses – industry reaction

21st September 2022 Business Utilities | #business energy

The Government has announced a new scheme that will see energy prices for non-domestic energy customers such as businesses, charities and public sector organisations cut – protecting them from rising energy costs. Through a new Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the Government will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic…

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Government announces support to tackle high energy bills for small businesses – industry reaction

8th September 2022 Business Utilities | #business energy

New Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced that businesses will get help with their energy bill with prices capped for six months. Responding to the announcement, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Martin McTague said “It’s a huge relief for millions of small businesses to hear confirmation they will be part of…

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Small firms set out energy agenda for new PM

Small businesses are fighting for survival from soaring energy costs as they turn to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor for immediate support to brace for the winter, according to latest Federation Small Business (FSB) research. The latest report finds that the overwhelming majority (96%) of small firms flag concerns about rising energy bills. Concern…

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Call for Covid-style support for business energy customers

6th September 2022 Business Utilities | #business energy

Energy UK has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the new Prime Minister starting work next week, setting out possible measures which could help non-domestic customers facing steep rises in their energy costs. While domestic customers are facing a big increase in bills, which was confirmed by Ofgem’s price cap announcement last week, non-domestic…

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Ofwat proposes price cap for small businesses

2nd September 2022 Business Utilities |

Water regulator Ofwat has proposed to replace the current regional retail price caps for small, disengaged business customers with a single national cap across the whole of England.  The water regulator has opened a six-week consultation on proposed changes to the retail price caps that apply to smaller business customers (consuming less than 0.5Ml per…

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Government urged to support business as energy cost crisis looms

2nd September 2022 Business Utilities | #featured

The Institute of Directors (IoD) is calling on the Government urgently to adjust its tax policies to take account of the extraordinary energy cost pressures businesses currently face. The IoD says this should include using tax incentives to support the business transition to a low carbon economy, with less dependency on expensive fossil fuels. Specifically,…

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Energy price cap rise impact on the cost of doing business – industry reaction

26th August 2022 Business Utilities | #business risk

Ofgem has announced the energy price cap will increase to £3,549 per year for dual fuel for an average household from 1st October 2022. The increase is up 80% from the current cap of £1,971, and up 178% from the £1,277 cap in March this year. The Federation of Small Business (FSB) says that energy…

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Business confidence plunges over the cost of doing business

Business confidence in the UK has plunged into negative territory as companies grapple with a crisis from the rising cost of doing business according to the ICAEW. The research found that business confidence falls into negative territory after record peak last year with the cost of doing business now pushing UK closer to recession amid…

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Warning that energy crisis could lead to thousands of companies collapsing

25th August 2022 Business Utilities | #energy crisis

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) (CBI) has warned that the escalating energy crisis could lead to thousands of companies collapsing without Government support. The CBI has urged the government to freeze business rates for another year and take quick and targeted action to prevent otherwise viable businesses from going bust. The lobby group said…

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Energy prices put nearly three quarters of pubs at risk

24th August 2022 Business |

Organisations representing the UK’s independent brewers and beer consumers have called for urgent action on energy and support for the sector. The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have jointly signed a letter to the Chancellor highlighting the challenges which are putting the future of the UK beer industry…

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Sigma Connected agrees Yu Energy contract

30th June 2022 Business Utilities |

Business outsourcing specialist Sigma Connected has been awarded a contract by business energy and water operator Yu Energy to provide contact centre support for outbound collections. The results Sigma Connected has delivered has already seen the team increase by 50% in order to handle more accounts. The contract is being operated by Sigma Connected from…

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UK and Ireland among top five worst in Europe for payment delays

New data from Sidetrade has found that the UK and Ireland are among the top five worst in Europe for payment delays. The company statistics are based on the payment behaviour of 20.7 million buying companies worldwide. The data reveals the best and worst markets and industries for late payments over the last three years…

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