Responding to the government's
decision not to introduce zonal pricing, Ben Martin, Policy
Manager at the BCC, said:
“We believe the government has made
the right decision in ruling out zonal pricing. Its Clean Power
Mission has the right ambition; to ensure that the UK's
electricity system can be decarbonised and made secure for the
future.
“But businesses had raised significant
concerns about unintended consequences if zonal pricing had been
introduced. These included the creation of a postcode lottery,
uncertainty for businesses, and the impact it would have on
investment in the UK.
"The government has set out clear
ambitions to reform the national pricing electricity market which
can improve efficiency and bring certainty for investors.
“But speed is of the essence and the
priority must be to accelerate grid connectivity. Businesses
across our Chamber Network have said this is a significant
barrier to growth. Many are holding back on expanding their
existing operations in the UK because of the long queues to get
connected.
“Firms are also facing some of the
highest energy bills in Europe. Our research from last Autumn
showed that 37% of businesses said they would find it difficult
to pay their energy bills.
“We need government reform to relieve
this pressure and stand ready to work with them to deliver an
electricity system that is fit for the
future.”
