Businesses berate ‘scattergun’ approach to UK government energy support

A chilled drinks fridge in a London convenience store. The Association of Convenience Stores has co-written a letter to Grant Shapps urging the ability for firms to renegotiate contracts signed when power prices were at a peak. Photograph: Justin Kase zsixz/Alamy

Groups representing more than 100,000 UK firms have accused ministers of taking a “scattergun” approach to supporting businesses with their gas and electricity costs, amid fears many will be forced to close this year by unaffordable bills.

Earlier this month, the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, confirmed that the scheme designed to soften the blow of soaring monthly payments for energy would become significantly less generous from April.