Thank you for contacting me about support for animals and the cost of living.
My ministerial colleagues and I appreciate the important work that responsible animal rescue and rehoming organisations do, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure that animals taken into the care of these organisations are offered the opportunity of a forever home.
The Government recognises the impact of rising bills on all aspects of people's lives and businesses, including the costs associated with companion animal welfare. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is in close contact with animal welfare organisations and meets them regularly to understand issues that are affecting the sector, including the impact of rising bills on veterinary, pet food, energy and animal care supply costs.
Further, details of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) were announced in September 2022. The scheme will initially run for six months, covering energy use from 1 October 2022 until 31 March 2023. The scheme applies to all non-domestic energy customers, including businesses involved with companion animal welfare that are on eligible contracts. In April 2023, the EBRS will be replaced by the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), which will run until March 2024. The EBDS will support businesses and other non-domestic customers by providing a discount on gas and electricity unit prices. In addition, the Energy Price Guarantee will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas and will run until 31 March 2024.
Finally, sector groups are closely monitoring the impact of the increases in the cost of living and are identifying where more support may be needed. I am aware that many are providing support through pet food banks, as well as financial support with veterinary treatment during these difficult times.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.