Charities will receive financial help with their October energy bills, the government has confirmed.
But the Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy also said this support would be backdated if necessary, seemingly acknowledging that the scheme might not be rolled out for several more weeks.
The government has promised that energy rates for charities and other businesses would be capped for six months amid soaring costs, but had not previously said when the support would start.
Sector experts said yesterday that, with energy bills rising to record levels after a surge in wholesale gas prices, charities and social enterprises would struggle to provide services this winter, or could even go out of business, if financial support was delayed.
A BEIS spokesperson said: “We will confirm further details of support for non-domestic energy users, including charities, next week.
“The scheme will support non-domestic energy users with their October energy bills, including through backdating if necessary.”
Richard Sagar, head of policy at the Charity Finance Group, said: “We welcome the news of the government’s support scheme. The sooner it is fully functioning the better.
“Delays to the scheme will inevitably impact the provision of vital services to communities across the country.”
Sagar also urged the government to provide more details about the financial package when it announces a mini-budget next week.
He said: “The fiscal event on 23 September is an opportunity for the government to provide greater clarity on how it will help charities in the coming months.
“To ensure its support measures are impactful and fit for purpose, we would urge the government to work closely with the sector.
“There are millions of people who rely on our sector’s services every day and these people are counting on the government to get this right.”