Marc Shoffman from the FSB blames the government for having a ‘one size fits all approach’.

‘Small businesses are missed out and not seen as important, when really they are similar to domestic users, and we would like to see them treated as such,’ he adds.

According to Shoffman, 80 per cent of small business owners told the FSB an increase in fuel and energy prices would make it difficult for their firms to expand.

In addition, some 40 per cent of the 9,000 members which were questioned expected to have to lay off some of their workers in the next 12 months.

The FSB’s comments come in response to prime minister Gordon Brown’s announcement that the government will spend almost £1 billion on improving energy efficiency and helping the vulnerable to lower their power bills.

Under the strategy, the big six energy suppliers will avoid windfall taxes on their profits for paying for improvements such as improved insulation in British homes.