Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has taken recent steps to help support disabled people with high energy costs.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has extensive additional support in place for those on certain disability benefits, including: the Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, the Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payments, the Constant Attendance Allowance and the War Pension Mobility Supplement.
In addition, every household will have benefitted from the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bills Support Scheme which together have covered around half of a typical household energy bill this winter, and by the end of June will have saved a typical household around £1,500.
As we explore possible approaches to consumer protection from April 2024, we are working with disability organisations, considering the costs for disabled people and assessing need for specific support for disabled people using medical equipment in the home.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a (a) social tariff and (b) discounted energy scheme for disabled people.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government is continually reviewing the financial support it provides for the differing energy needs within its communities and prioritising support for the most vulnerable.
As the Government explores possible approaches to consumer protection from April 2024, it is working with disability organisations, considering the costs for disabled people, and assessing the need for specific support for disabled people using medical equipment in the home. Officials are discussing developing policy with charities, industry, and other consumer groups with a view to targeting support for the most vulnerable and alleviating fuel poverty.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent meetings with SCOPE on their social tariff on energy campaign.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
I attended the meeting of the Disability Charities Consortium on 24 May, where the CEO of SCOPE was in attendance.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2023 to Question 120025 on Energy Bills Rebate, and with reference to the oral statement of the Minister for Energy and Climate his comments of 25 January 2023, Official Report, columns 1026-29, whether details on eligibility for Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding will be published before the planned opening of the portal for applications on 27 February 2023; whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the scheme's operation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The application portal for EBSS AF will open on the GOV.UK webpage by 27 February and this will include an overview of eligibility and what applicants need to do to apply. Local authorities will be provided with guidance on how to provide this support to eligible households ahead of the launch.