Effect of rising energy costs on small and medium-sized businesses, public sector organisations and charities

That this House recognises the impending cost of the energy crisis facing small businesses, public sector organisations and charities; is dismayed at the delays in offering support and the lack of planning to mitigate against this foreseeable crisis for these sectors; considers the lasting impact of covid-19 and soaring inflation on businesses, public sector organisations and charities to be significant; welcomes moves towards an energy price cap for business, public sector organisations and charities but believes six months is nowhere near long enough; recognises that many of the public sector organisations and charities exist primarily to tackle the reality of poverty and the cost of living and therefore must be supported to continue doing that; urges the Government to recognise the wider impact mass closures of small businesses, public sector organisations and charities would have on our communities and our economy; and implores the Government to extend the length of the energy price cap from six months to two years in line with individual households.