CYP Now - Childcare settings ‘must be classed as vulnerable’ under new energy plan, say providers

Childcare providers must be classed as “vulnerable businesses” in order to receive enough government funding to keep settings open amid the cost-of-living crisis, sector leaders have said.

Settings must also be able to afford energy to provide food for young children, leaders have said. Picture: Adobe Stock

The Department for Business, Energy and Industry has today (21 September) revealed its Energy Bill Relief Scheme which will see businesses and voluntary organisations, including childcare settings, offered wholesale discount on gas and energy prices if their bills “have been significantly inflated”.

It will apply to fixed contracts agreed on or after 1 April 2022, as well as to deemed, variable and flexible tariffs and contracts.

The scheme will cover energy usage from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, running for an initial six-month period.

The government has pledged to publish a review publish of the scheme in three months to inform decisions on future support after March 2023.

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