Asked by: Karin Smyth (Labour - Bristol South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households identified as being in fuel poverty under the Low Income Low Energy efficiency indicator who are ineligible for the Warm Homes Discount.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Warm Home Discount scheme is a key policy that provides rebates to low-income and vulnerable households. The Government expanded the scheme in England and Wales to support around 3 million households and reformed the scheme to focus the support to households likely to be facing the most severe fuel poverty. Based on the fuel poverty statistics published in February 2023, the Government estimates that 2.3 million fuel poor households in England in 2022 were not eligible. This includes those who are fuel poor under the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency indicator but who do not claim means-tested benefits and are therefore not eligible under the scheme.
The Government has provided extensive help through other schemes and payments. By the end of June this year, the Government will have covered nearly half a typical household’s energy bill through the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bills Support Scheme since October, with a typical household saving around £1,500.
Fuel poverty statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Asked by: Karin Smyth (Labour - Bristol South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when his Department plans to pay the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding payments for eligible claimants who applied before the end of February 2023.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Applicants should receive an update on their application within six weeks, but if this is not received, they should call the contact centre on 08081753287 where an agent can provide further information. The exact date that an eligible claimant will receive support will depend on when the application is made, its complexity, whether additional information is requested by the local authority, and when the payment can be processed by the relevant local authority.