ROME, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The Italian government is not planning to hike taxes and will look to help businesses and households absorb an expected sharp spike in power costs, Prime Minister Mario Draghi told employers on Thursday. “The government has no intention of increasing taxes. This is a time when money needs to be given, not taken,” Draghi told the annual assembly of employers’ lobby Confindustria. He pledged to spend over 3 billion euros ($3.51 billion) in the coming months to help limit the power price rise, saying without government intervention electricity prices could surge 40% in the next quarter and gas prices 30%. ($1 = 0.8535 euros) (Writing by Angelo Amante; Editing by Crispian Balmer)