Cost of living crisis to hit West Yorkshire harder

Businesses across West Yorkshire are being encouraged use an expert advice service to improve their energy efficiency and reduce costs during the energy crisis.

The guidance is being provided by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board (LEP) which met to discuss the matter this week following the government’s announcement of a six-month package of energy bill support for businesses and public sector organisations.

The LEP’s resource efficiency scheme provides technical advice and hands-on support and helps business to save on energy bills and brings vital environmental benefits by reducing emissions.

An economic update report was also presented at the meeting - highlighting the major challenges West Yorkshire businesses are facing, caused by increasing costs of materials and fuel and the need to increase workforce wages. It is feared that this could lead to further price increases for goods and services which are likely to be passed onto consumers.

The update also highlighted that the cost-of-living crisis is likely to hit people in West Yorkshire harder than many other areas in the UK, because the region has a greater share of people on low incomes. And any further rise in fuel costs and food prices will put even greater pressure on household budgets.

Interim Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board, Mark Roberts, said: 

“The support announced by the Government is welcome and it’s right that voluntary, community and public sector organisations are also included in the package. 

“But it needs to go further and recognise that many businesses in West Yorkshire will still face ongoing challenges with operating costs after the six-month period and they will need certainty to plan for the long term.  

“We are doing what we can to support businesses by helping them improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions and we will continue with support which enables firms to access these important resources.”