Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the affordability of energy for elderly people during the winter; and what steps they plan to take to make energy bills more affordable for elderly people.

The Government provides a range of support to eligible UK pensioners such as the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

In recognition that households across the UK are struggling to make their incomes stretch to cover the rising cost of living, the Government announced on 26 May a £15 billion package of cost-of-living support, in addition to the £22 billion already announced. As part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme package, pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments, will receive an extra £300 this year, in addition to a £400 rebate on all energy bills, from October and a £150 Council Tax rebate for households, including pensioners, living in bands A-D in England.