What replaced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses?
The Energy Bills Discount Scheme replaced it on 1 April 2023 and closed on 31 March 2024. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme itself ran from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. No general business bill support scheme has replaced either one as of 6 November 2026.
The timeline
| Scheme | Ran |
|---|---|
| Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) | 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 |
| Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) | 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 |
| General business scheme after that | None |
Both schemes were applied automatically by suppliers to eligible non-domestic customers' bills. The EBDS gave a much smaller discount than the EBRS, with extra help for energy-intensive industries. GOV.UK's scheme page confirms the EBDS closed and its guidance was withdrawn in April 2024.
What there is now
We have found no general replacement scheme for 2026. Support is narrow:
- Targeted help for heavy industry. The British Industry Supercharger gives larger discounts on network charges for around 500 energy-intensive firms. A separate proposed scheme, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, is aimed at manufacturers. See who qualifies for BICS.
- VAT. Qualifying domestic and charity non-business electricity in Great Britain is temporarily zero-rated for VAT from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027 (HMRC first announced 31 March 2027, then extended it). Ordinary business use stays at 20%. See zero-rate VAT.
Why you might still see old advice
Older articles, supplier emails and broker pages still refer to the schemes. If anyone offers to apply for an EBRS or EBDS discount for you or says you are owed one, treat it as a warning sign. Both closed and cannot be claimed. Our guide to broker mis-selling covers common tactics.
What you can do instead
- Compare fresh quotes; there is no price cap on business energy, so the unit rate is the biggest lever. The DESNZ average for non-domestic customers in Q2 2026 was 24.51p/kWh for electricity and 5.28p/kWh for gas, both including Climate Change Levy.
- Check your contract terms and renewal date.
- If you are struggling to pay, ask your supplier for a plan: see payment plans.
- Cut use: see saving energy in a small business.
Why the support ended
Both schemes were emergency measures introduced when wholesale prices spiked. As prices came off their peak, the government stepped the support down and then closed it. That is why suppliers' price lists from 2024 onwards stand on their own, with no automatic discount behind them. If your bill looks high, the cause is more likely your contract rate, standing charges and network costs than a missing scheme. Our guide on why business energy is so expensive explains what makes up the price.
If you are unsure whether a letter or email about a "scheme" is genuine, look the scheme up on GOV.UK and contact your supplier using the number on your bill rather than any number in the message.
Next steps
Read government help with business energy bills for the full picture, and why there is no business price cap.
Biz Energy is independent and not affiliated with any supplier, broker or comparison site, and takes no commission. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Sources
General information only. Energy prices, rules and supplier terms change; check the latest position with your supplier, Ofgem or the Energy Ombudsman before you act.