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22 Winter 2022 ENERGY SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES Newly-announced government measures will come as welcome news. B usinesses and other non- domestic customers do not bene t fromtheOfgemprice cap and are not able to access the kind of support being made available to UKhouseholds, but are still experiencing increasingly high energy bills. A new six-month scheme for businesses and other non-domestic energy users has therefore been announced, which will o er comparable support as is being provided for domestic consumers. After this initial six-month scheme, the government will provide ongoing focused support for vulnerable industries. ere will be a review early next year to consider where this should be targeted to make sure those most in need can obtain support. To nd out more about the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, visit https://bit.ly/3NM2eR7 . While the intervention will be funded by the government, action is being taken to signi cantly reduce the cost over time. ENERGY SUPPLY TASKFORCE A new Energy Supply Taskforce – led by Madelaine McTernan who headed up the UK’s successful Vaccine Taskforce – has begun negotiations with domestic and international suppliers to agree long- term contracts that reduce the price they charge for energy and increase the security of its supply. e government will negotiate with renewable producers to reduce the prices they charge as well.