A TAMESIDE company has spelled out the frightening rise on energy bills it feels are ‘absolutely crippling’ businesses.
Specialist college Works4U, which provides training to college-aged students who are outside the mainstream education system, told of a near 16-fold increase in its electricity bill on one of its sites.
Measures introduced by Prime Minister Liz Truss will see energy costs capped for six months from October.
Analysts estimate it will national cost between £22 billion and £48 billion but the British Chambers of Commerce warned that six months of support “is not enough to make plans for the future”, as many business groups expressed fears of a “cliff edge” once April approaches.
And founder and co-director of Works4U, Norman Mackie, revealed the horrified reaction when their bill landed.
He said: “Like every other person in the country, certainly every organisation, we’re absolutely terrified at the moment about the cost of living, particularly the energy problem
“Just to give on example, we’ve one single building for which our direct debit for electricity is £180 a month.
“We were notified it’s increasing to £2,850 a month. My daughter said to me, ‘Read that and tell me I’m dreaming.’
“I said, ’No, you’re not dreaming. That’s what’s on there.’
“Private individuals are worried to death at how they’re going to cope. Businesses are as well, it’s absolutely crippling.”