Stricken businesses could have to wait several weeks for energy bills help - and then have it backdated, Downing Street admitted today.
The PM’s official spokesman denied reports that support will only be available in November, saying it’ll apply from next month and “further details” will be made clear next week.
But while the scheme will “support businesses with their October energy bills ”, that will involve “backdating if necessary”, the spokesman admitted.
Liz Truss unveiled her energy bills support package last week but the enormous fiscal intervention was immediately overshadowed by the announcement of the Queen's death later that day.
The "energy bills guarantee" freezes a typical household's bills at £2,500 a year for two years from October 1, in place of the energy price cap run by the regulator Ofgem.
The new PM also promised help for businesses and other bodies not covered by the price cap - such as schools and hospitals.
But firms have been left in the dark over what support they will get, which Government sources admit is trickier to implement.
Downing Street said the delay was not because of the Queen’s death and mourning period, but because “we’re having to build a brand new system to deliver this support”.
The spokesman insisted talks are ongoing about giving “equivalent support” to businesses as to households, who’ve been given an exact cap on their unit rates from October 1.
But he was unable to give any firm detail on what business support will look like or how prices will be capped or restricted, saying it will only arrive next week.
The PM's spokesman said: "We will confirm further details of the business support scheme next week.
"The scheme will support businesses with their October energy bills and that includes through backdating if necessary."
Downing Street confirmed the government will try to shorten MPs’ party conference recess, due to start next Thursday and stretch until October 17.
It is thought officials are drawing up plans to shorten the recess at both ends to accommodate an emergency mini-Budget next Thursday or Friday.
Westminster insiders fear Parliament may not sit immediately after Monday’s state funeral and could take until next Thursday to resume its business.
If the recess wasn’t shortened, that would mean the Commons only had five ‘normal’ sitting days over the course of almost three months.
