Prime Ministers Energy Support Package

08 September 2022

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s energy support package, Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster said:

“We welcome the recognition for immediate intervention to address the cost of energy crisis by the UK Government. It is critically important that this support announced by the Prime Minister is extended to Northern Ireland where the energy crisis is just as stark. Hospitality businesses across Northern Ireland have been forced to reduce opening hours in the face of severe energy bills over the past months, all while trying to contend with the ongoing Covid recovery. Urgent intervention is needed to ensure that there are no further business closures.”

“Further support measures including slashing the VAT rate and a business rates holiday are urgently required to tackle the cost of doing business crisis which is crippling the hospitality sector. We cannot wait any longer for government intervention as we look towards a bleak winter for the industry.”

“We will wait for further confirmation that today’s announcement can and will be applied in Northern Ireland and provide much needed relief to thousands of businesses and households.”