SNP call for emergency business support

The SNP has accused the Conservatives of abandoning small businesses and called for a package of support to help with rising energy bills.

The claim came as businesses warn they will struggle to stay open. A Chinese takeaway in SNP MP Stephen Flynn’s Aberdeen South constituency was forced to close last week after its quarterly energy bills soared to £10,000.

Flynn, who is the party’s business spokesperson, said: “The Tories have completely abandoned small businesses, leaving them to fend for themselves in the face of soaring energy bills, with no meaningful support from the UK Government at all.”

Parliament should be recalled, he added, with an emergency budget to deliver support to small businesses on a par with the pandemic response, including a business energy price cap and small business energy grants.

The UK Government said it had taken steps to support firms, including reducing fuel duty, freezing alcohol duty rates, and reducing Employer National Insurance by raising the Employment Allowance.