The Lancaster MP has called for extra financial support to be given to Post Offices, to cope with soaring energy bills.
The current Energy Bill Relief Scheme announced in September comes to an end in March 2023. It supports businesses and public sector organisations such as schools and hospitals by providing a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices.
The Government has now announced a new Energy Bills Discount Scheme from April 2023 to April 2024, with reduced support available to many businesses on a non-domestic contract.
Cat Smith took the matter to the Commons this week, in a debate on the matter.
She asked: ‘’Post Offices provide incredible support to communities, but also to the economic vibrancy of our High Streets.
‘’But they are often on quite a tight turnover, so I just wonder, having heard from many workers in my constituency, including from Forton, Brookhouse and Knott End, whether or not Post Offices would be eligible for the same level of support that they have received until now, because they will be well aware that the headline figures are reduced from what they were.’’
James Cartlidge MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said in response: ‘’The Honourable Lady makes an important point. They are incredibly significant in our communities. Often they can be where you do your banking and shopping.
‘’What I would say it is likely, obviously they are not in the intensive scheme, and obviously the level of support they receive will be less generous, we’re transparent about that, but that’s because there’s a balance to be struck here between continuing a universal level of support, because if you make it universal and if you are to be fiscally responsible, by definition it will be less generous than if you just target narrowly.
‘’There’s more generous support to those sectors exposed to international competition, and at the same time, although less generous, still significant support for the rest of the economy, including post offices.’’
After the debate, Ms Smith said: ‘’In the government’s own words their changes to the energy support package for business is “less generous” and for our Post Offices across Lancashire who are on tight margins this will be really challenging.
‘’I’ve heard from Post Offices in Bowerham, Brookhouse, Forton, Knott End and Fleetwood who have all raised with me concerns about energy prices.
‘’These are vital parts of our economic and social infrastructure and we need to see better protections for Post Offices which so many people rely on.’’
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