| answer text |
<p>The department recognises and continues to assess the impact rising energy prices
and inflation are having on nurseries, childminders and other childcare providers.</p><p>On
Thursday 8 September, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced measures
to tackle the root cause of the issues in the UK energy market including the introduction
of an Energy Price Guarantee’ to limit the price suppliers can charge customers for
units of gas and electricity.</p><p>To support childminders operating from their own
home who are on domestic energy tariffs, typical UK households will pay no more than
£2,500 a year on their gas and electricity bill for the next two years from Saturday
1 October. This will save the average household £1,000 a year based on current energy
prices from October. This will be in addition to the announced £400 energy bills discount
for all households and together they will bring costs close to where the energy price
cap stands today.</p><p>There will be a new six-month scheme for businesses and all
non-domestic energy users, including charities and public sector organisations. Providers
in all educational sectors will therefore be eligible, including providers of childcare
on non-domestic premises like nurseries.</p><p>After this initial six-month scheme
for non-domestic customers, the government will provide ongoing, focused support for
vulnerable sectors. There will be a review in three months’ time to consider where
this should be targeted to make sure those most in need get support.</p><p>We will
continue to work closely with the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial
Strategy to monitor the impacts on the early years and childcare sector. We will share
further detail with the sector in due course.</p>
|
|
