Asked by: Baroness Adams of Craigielea (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of disabled people affected by changes to the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount Scheme between 2022—23.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As a result of expanding and reforming the scheme in England and Wales, the Government estimated in the final impact assessment that 160,000 more households, where a person has a disability or long-term illness, will receive a rebate.
These changes do not apply in Scotland, where customers apply for a Broader Group rebate through their energy suppliers, who can set their own eligibility criteria.
Asked by: Baroness Adams of Craigielea (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide access to affordable domestic energy for low-income customers.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has set up a number of Energy Affordability Schemes to support low-income customers with energy prices such as Energy Bills Support Scheme and the Energy Price Guarantee which all households will benefit from.
As announced in the Spring Budget, the Energy Price Guarantee has been extended at £2,500 for an additional three months to the end of June 2023 to further support households with energy bills.
The Autumn Statement set out a commitment to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024.
In addition, for 2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to £900 in Cost of Living payments. Pensioners will receive a £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment alongside their Winter Fuel Payment. The Warm Home Discount will also provide £150 per eligible household for the financial year 2023/24.