SMEs 'left out' of government fuel policy package

Date: 18th September 2008

The UK's small businesses are being left out of the government's fuel poverty package, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The government's £1 billion fuel package is estimated to benefit 10 million people who have been adversely affected by escalating fuel prices.

Worryingly, the FSB also reported that 40 per cent of its clients would have to consider laying off staff in the next year.

Marc Shoffman, speaking for the FSB, said: "At the moment with government policies, there's a one size fits all approach.

"Small businesses are missed out and not seen as important, when really they are similar to domestic users, and we would like to see them as such."

Data from uSwitch.com has shown that energy prices have added £4.3 billion in total to household bills this year.

Business accountants are expecting a flurry of small to medium enterprise owners and managers completing their self assessment tax returns before the January 31st deadline.