THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged energy companies to pass on lower fuel costs to the regions small and micro businesses.

Earlier this month, suppliers including EDF Energy and British Gas announced plans to cut domestic gas and electricity prices following a drop in wholesale costs.

Research from the FSBs Hows Business survey showed that 80 per cent of respondents in the North-East were worried about the rising cost of energy.

The survey also found that small businesses are concerned they have limited knowledge of the energy options open to their business and very few understand energy contracts.

The FSB has pushed for greater transparency of the big six providers; a simpler pricing structures and measures to ensure that small businesses receive the same protections that domestic customers have with energy contracts.

Ted Salmon, FSB North East Regional Chairman, said: "In our most recent survey of members the biggest barrier for their business was increased energy and fuel costs. "We want the energy companies to pass on the recently announced bill reductions to small and micro businesses. Given that small and micro businesses typically behave like domestic customers in the energy market they should be treated in an equal fashion.

"Alongside this the Government should be doing more to help small and micro businesses by ensuring there is greater transparency of the big six providers and introducing a more transparent pricing structure.

"Small and micro businesses will help lead the recovery and re-balancing of the economy in the North East and by pushing through these changes will help more to survive, grow and prosper."