IPM statement on support for UK energy costs
The government's announcement of a unit price cap on energy for the next two years (which will result in the average household's bills being around £2,500 per year) will provide some welcome certainty in terms of budget planning.
This cap is still a substantial increase above where prices were before the invasion of Ukraine, and a large share of households will still require additional support above what has already been pledged to ensure that their energy bills remain affordable.
Relief but uncertainty for business
The decision to extend this cap to businesses will be a relief for many, however limiting this to just six months leaves significant uncertainty over planning for the coming year and may cause some challenges for businesses seeking to renegotiate annual contracts at this traditional time of year.
We now have to wait for a review that will decide which sectors will fall under a definition of "vulnerable industries" that may receive additional support after the six month period.
Government must aim to conclude this review as quickly as is practicable, and include business organisations closely in that process. This is a point we will stress through our many channels into Government, including the High Street's Task Force Sector Leader's Group on Monday 12th September
Cost of intervention
Government has not estimated the cost of this intervention but it is likely to exceed £100bn with little to no clue as to how that will be financed.
With significant tax cuts pledged to be announced at an emergency budget expected later this month, this is likely to place additional challenges on the public debt and also on interest rates.
Whilst Sterling has responded positively to the news (and its strengthening will take some pressure off imported inflation), this is also because this additional boost to household incomes may well feed through into higher domestic inflation and cause the Bank of England to increase base rates faster than was previously expected.
Future consumer spending impacts
It is welcome that the new government has moved quickly to reassure consumers and businesses on energy prices, but there is much missing from this statement that will need to be concluded swiftly over the coming weeks.
Even with this price cap in place, consumer spending will remain under pressure and businesses will need further reassurance if they are to plan through into 2023 with confidence.
As Professor Cathy Parker outlines in a previous release, these pressures are also a grave threat to places and place management organisations, such as BIDs, place partnerships and local authorities, - so IPM believes more radical reforms are still needed - to the energy market and to ensure place management organisations are adequately supported, to ensure their crucial place making and maintenance activities are not abruptly curtailed to the detriment of the economy and society.
Christian Spence
Chief Economist, IPM
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.