THE MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd has called on the UK Government to develop a voucher scheme to help small businesses in her constituency with decarbonisation.

Liz Saville Roberts MP says that a scheme to help business investment in energy efficiency measures and renewable energy production would help permanently reduce energy bills.

The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme announced by the UK Government yesterday (January 9) will reduce energy costs for businesses from April.

Sion Edwards, of Abersoch Farm Shop in Ms Saville Roberts’ constituency, has shut his business for two months, blaming £100-a-day electricity bills to keep his fridge and freezers working.

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Mr Edwards desperately needs Government support to help introduce measures like solar panels to reduce his energy bills.

A “Help to Green” policy has been proposed by the Federation of Small Businesses and supported by Plaid Cymru, based on the Help to Grow Digital scheme.

Under the proposed scheme, the UK Government would introduce a voucher scheme to support businesses to decarbonise, with £5,000 vouchers that can be spent on environmental goods and services.

This would help businesses reduce need to buy energy from the grid, lower bills, and improve energy security.

 Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Saville Roberts said: “Pen Llŷn entrepreneur Siôn Edwards has had to take the difficult decision to temporarily close his farm shop in Abersoch because the business cannot afford the electricity bills.

“He tells me that what he desperately needs is Government support with investment in energy efficiency measures and renewable energy production measures such as solar panels for small businesses, so that he can permanently reduce his energy bills.

“Will the minister please meet me to discuss the proposal from the Federation of Small Businesses for support to be delivered via ‘Help to Green’ vouchers?

“Small businesses like Abersoch Farm Shop are the beating heart of our economy in Wales.

“Standing back while these businesses shut would be a gross dereliction of duty by a failed government.”

James Cartlidge, the Exchequer Secretary, said: “That sounds like an interesting idea. I would be more than happy to meet the right honourable lady.”