Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to help ensure that disabled people with high energy usage do not fall into fuel poverty.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Although energy prices have significantly decreased compared to last winter, the Government is continuing to support those most in need such as disabled individuals. Millions of vulnerable households are receiving up to £900 in further cost of living payments, with an extra £150 to those on eligible disability benefits. This is alongside established support that vulnerable households may be able to receive such as the Winter Fuel Payment, and the £150 Warm Homes Discount.
I recommend that disabled individuals visit if the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to view what support they may be able to access - https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of introducing an energy social tariff to assist disabled people with energy costs.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government is continuing to support those most in need with millions of vulnerable households receiving up to £900 in further cost of living payments, with an extra £150 to those on eligible disability payments. This is in addition to the established support of the Winter Fuel Payment worth between £250-£600 and the £150 off energy bills from the Warm Home Discount, which many disabled people will be eligible for
The Government continues to monitor the situation and will keep options under review with respect to the most vulnerable households.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her planned timeline is for the publication of her Department's fuel poverty strategy; and if she will take steps to ensure the strategy tackles fuel poverty for disabled people.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is currently reviewing the fuel poverty strategy for England and will publish the review in due course.
Vulnerability is one of the current fuel poverty strategy’s guiding principles. This ensures that the Government specifically consider the needs of low-income households who are most at risk of the impacts of living in a cold home, such as households with an occupant who has a disability.
The Department’s review of the fuel poverty strategy will seek views on how Government could further support vulnerable people in fuel poverty.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will take steps to extend the warm home discount for disabled households.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government expanded and reformed the scheme in England and Wales from winter 2022/23 to better target households at risk of fuel poverty. The Government estimated in the final impact assessment that 160,000 more households, where a person has a disability or long-term illness, would receive a rebate as a result.
These changes have not applied in Scotland, where customers apply for a Broader Group rebate through their energy suppliers, who can set their own eligibility criteria.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information her Department holds on which collieries in (a) Rother Valley constituency and (b) the UK had Bevin Boys as part of their workforce.
Answered by Graham Stuart
No central records were kept on the deployment of those who were conscripted or volunteered as Bevin Boys, including the collieries to which they were deployed. However, the Government understands that the majority of Bevin Boys were trained at one of 13 pits, none of which were in the Rother Valley constituency:
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many Bevin Boys were conscripted from Rother Valley constituency.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Unlike those conscripted into the Armed Forces during World War Two, those who were conscripted or volunteered as Bevin Boys to work in the UK’s coal mines, were employed and paid by individual mine owners and operators. No central records were kept, and the Government therefore cannot provide details of the numbers conscripted from the Rother Valley constituency.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what medals Bevin Boys or their descendants are entitled to other than the Bevin Boys veterans badge.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
In addition to the Bevin Badge Veterans Badge the Bevin Boys Association commissioned a Bevin Boys Commemorative Medal as their official medal. The Bevin Boys Medal is available to all former Bevin Boys called up between 1943 and 1948 or their next of kin. Full details, including how to order the Medal, can be found at https://bigburymint.com/product/bevin-boys-commemorative-medal/
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has had recent discussions with the Bevin Boys Association on medallic recognition of their service in the war.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has not held discussions with the Bevin Boys Association.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will award a medal to those who were conscripted to become Bevin Boys.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government’s Bevin Boys Veterans Badge is awarded to all Bevin Boys, whether a conscriptee or volunteer. Full details on how to apply, including the application form, can be found at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-bevin-boys-veterans-badge
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information her Department holds on the number of Bevin Boys that are alive.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
In total, between 1943 and 1948, some 48,000 men came under the Bevin Boys Scheme either through conscription or by volunteering. As the individuals were not employed by the Crown during their service, unlike those conscripted to the Armed Forces, no records were kept by the Government on their status post service.