With figures suggesting big
companies are able to secure far
better energy prices than small
businesses the Forum of Private
Business (FPB) is urging firms to
shop around for better deals.

Data from the Government shows
that average electricity prices for
small and medium sized firms
increased by 15-17% between the
third quarter of 2008 and the same
period of 2009. Prices increased by
9-11% for large businesses and by
just 5% for the biggest companies.

According to figures from the
Department of Energy and Climate
Change average non-domestic gas
prices went up by 8% for the smallest
businesses but fell by between 14 and
52% for other commercial customers.

The situation has been exacerbated
for small businesses. Between 2003
and 2008 average electricity prices in
the energy-intensive manufacturing
sector soared by 138% and average
gas bills by 162%.

Members of the FPB can take
advantage of a free, independent
service from Utility Options, a
utilities consultancy which monitors
when utilities deals are up for renewal
and negotiates detailed contracts and
service agreements.