Priti calls for energy support for local food producers
In an oral question to the Minster for Energy Networks, Amanda Solloway (23rd May 2023), Witham MP Priti Patel has called on the Government to review the criteria for energy support schemes to help local food producers with their energy bills.
Companies such as Wilkin and Sons, who are based in Priti’s Witham constituency, are not eligible for support through the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries scheme. This is due to a technicality with their business standard industry classification code, which does not fall within the scheme’s criteria.
Priti said: “Many great local businesses are faced with higher energy costs but are not eligible for support because of the way the energy support scheme has been designed. They need help with these costs and I will continue to raise this issue with ministers on their behalf.”
Priti’s oral question and the ministerial answer from Hansard, 23 May 2023:
Priti Patel (Witham) (Con)
The House will be familiar with Wilkin & Sons in my constituency, which makes world-famous jam that I am sure everyone in the House has enjoyed. However, it faces significant increases in its energy costs because it is not eligible for the energy and trade intensive industries scheme, as its industry classification is not within the scope of the scheme. The code is 10.3, and it is for processing and preserving fruit and veg. Will the Minister look into that classification? There is an open invitation to come up to Wilkin & Sons.
Mr Speaker
That will be very jammy.
Amanda Solloway
I thank my right hon. Friend for that invite, and I would be delighted to go if some of the product was on offer. We are constantly looking at the help we can give. We are giving help across all industries. We are giving universal help through the discount, and we are helping energy and trade intensive industries as well. The classification exists to ensure that we do not have a bias.