‘Sticking-plaster measures’: Sunak fails to ease pain of surging costs, say firms

Hospitality, manufacturing and haulage sectors say spring statement falls far short of the help needed

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The spring statement did not deliver much to help Lesters, a small but growing packaging company struggling with rising costs.

The Staffordshire-based firm's energy bills will rise from 7,000 a month to 18,000 when the current contract runs out. Speaking after Rishi Sunak's spring statement, Lesters' managing director, Billy Hutchinson, said the chancellor had offered nothing to help on this key issue.