Advice and guidance

Support from GOV.UK
Support from Citizens Advice

If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, there’s help you can get as a microbusiness. Check if your business is a microbusiness.

All businesses should be able get help with energy bills from the government as part of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.

There are other steps you can take if you're still finding it hard to pay your microbusiness's energy bills.

What you should do depends on if:

  • you're already in debt to your supplier
  • you've been sent a bill you can't afford
  • you're regularly struggling to pay your bills

Find out about support with your energy bills on the Citizens Advice website

Support with debt

Business Debtline is a charity offering independent debt advice over the phone and online - call 0800 197 6026.  This is a sister company of the National Debtline, providing free debt advice for small business owners.

Support from British Business Bank
Support from Ormiston Families

The cost of living crisis has been affecting people and businesses across the UK. Yet some may not have considered the impact this crisis has been having on our children. Here, Fynn Cornish, Assistant Director of Mental Health at East of England charity Ormiston Families, answers some questions about the ways parents can discuss finances with their children while getting them involved in some fun cost-cutting activities.

What should I do if my child appears worried about money?

"If parents appear worried about money, their children may then take on these worries themselves. If so, it can be helpful for parents to reassure their children that things will be okay, perhaps getting their children involved in coming up with ways that they can help the family to save money to help them see that there are solutions."

What if my child notices that we aren't doing/having things that we are used to?

"If you're having to cut out certain luxuries, try to offer your child a cheaper alternative that, where possible, they can choose or even make themselves. Teaching the value of items and activities is helpful, and children may even find that getting stuck in with making a more economical homemade alternative to their favourite dinner or dessert is twice the fun”

What are some cheap and simple activities that I can do with the kids during half-term?

"Home cooking and baking with your children are great ways to avoid expensive meals out while teaching them the value of money and nutrition. Bike rides and trips to the local park will help them get their energy out, perhaps then coming home to a home movie night with a DVD and some microwave popcorn. I have a four-year-old daughter and one of our favourite activities is to build dens with bed sheets and pillows and we let our imaginations come out to play! If children are looking for ways to boost their pocket money, clearing out old toys and heading for the nearest car-boot sale is a great way to give your children a bit of extra cash while tidying up the toy box!"

Ormiston Families delivers vital support services for children, young people and families across the East of England, ranging from children’s mental health services to support for women who have had children taken into care. To learn more about the charity, visit www.ormiston.org

Smart Energy GB: Save money and energy with a smart meter

With a smart meter, you can wave goodbye to estimated billing. The smart meter shows a digital meter reading and uses a secure smart data network (managed by the DCC) to automatically and wirelessly send the readings to your energy supplier at least once a month, so you will receive accurate, not estimated bills.

Smart meters also come with an in-home display screen that shows you exactly how much energy you're using in pounds and pence, in near real time.

Articles offering support and tips