Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to reopen applications for the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding closed to new applications on 31 May, and the department does not plan to re-open the scheme. The government believes that the 3-month time window provided sufficient time for eligible households to apply for their £400 support.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to take steps to help eligible households access Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding past the deadline for applications.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding closed to new applications on 31 May 2023. Individuals that need additional support with an application they have submitted before the scheme closed to new applications can call the contact centre helpline on 08081753287 (08081753894 for Northern Ireland) where a representative can provide further assistance.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of geographical variations in electricity standing charges.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The standing charge includes some electricity distribution costs, which vary regionally to reflect the different costs of maintaining and upgrading the distribution network in different regions. Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator overseeing network charges, has previously reviewed regional differences in network charges. Its report found that there are advantages in charges that broadly reflect the costs that different users place on the system. In particular, this cost-reflective approach to network charging supports an efficient system where overall network costs are minimised for consumers across Great Britain.