small businesses

A new platform through which small businesses can switch energy suppliers has been launched. Switching Energy’s app enables firms to review live quotes in real-time for their energy supply contract. They will be able to accept the prices and move to a different supplier in one transaction using an e-signature. Founder Jon Davies said: “Having […]

One in 10 small businesses are now generating their own electricity on site, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It said 12% of its members are primarily using solar panels to produce their own energy, which showcases small businesses are realising the benefits the renewable source offers. Since 2012, the cost to install […]

Small businesses need to be more involved if the UK is to hit its climate targets. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believe small and independent firms are key to closing the carbon gap – the government just needs to offer them improved incentives and reduce barriers to going green. Its new report suggests the […]

Energy efficiency can reduce bills by 18-25% with an average payback of less than 1.5 years. That’s according to a report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It also states 31% of FSB members said energy costs were a barrier to growth and 90% of them want to be energy efficient but only a fifth […]

The government’s announcement to scrap funding for the Green Deal last week has left “big implications for small businesses”. That’s according to Bernard Hughes, Communications Director of the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC). The scheme allows householders to make their homes more energy efficient by having installations such as solar panels or loft insulation. This is done through loans with no […]

A consumer group has renewed calls for a mandatory code of conduct to deal with the issue of rogue energy brokers. Hannah Mummery, Principal Policy Advocate for Small Business at Consumer Futures said they had a role to play: “Brokers are essential to help small suppliers in the non-domestic sector and small businesses engage.” Speaking […]

Power supplier E.ON is introducing a flat rate electricity and gas standing charge in a bid to make pricing easier for small businesses. The new move will benefit businesses joining the energy company or existing customers renewing onto a fixed-term contract from tomorrow. It follows Ofgem’s launch of the new standards of conduct for energy […]

Energy regulator Ofgem’s new code of conduct for power suppliers in an effort to protect small businesses will build trust and give firms “more confidence”. That’s the view of the trade body for the energy industry, which claims suppliers support the new rules that have been introduced this week. The new standards include the need […]

ScottishPower has become the last of the Big Six energy suppliers to act on auto-rollover contracts for small businesses. The energy company has announced it will stop offering auto-rollover contracts to new small business customers from April next year and to existing customers later in 2014. The firm is also reducing the period for back […]

With businesses being locked into energy contracts as a result of automatic rollovers, usually having to face higher bills, should Ofgem ban them altogther? ELN Reporter Priyanka Shrestha looks at how small firms have been affected and what the energy regulator and suppliers should be doing to help.