Recommendation 22

HM Treasury told us it was providing a range of support to businesses and the public sector through a number of measures, not just the energy support schemes. For example, it pointed to support provided through: covid support schemes; a reduction in business rates and funding paid via local authorities. HM Treasury told us that it had looked at how the tax systems were helping high street businesses and hospitality and leisure businesses and that although the EBDS might not be the right way to support pubs with their energy bills that there were levers government can use. It also highlighted support provided to pubs, such as freezing alcohol duty.53