Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether alternative support is available for households which previously qualified for the Warm Home Discount but which are ineligible this year because they are unable to provide data on the energy performance of their accommodation.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government uses Valuation Office Agency data on property characteristics to identify households living in properties estimated to have high heating costs. If a household believes this property characteristic data is inaccurate and wants to provide alternative information, they will need an Energy Performance Certificate.
Energy suppliers can provide additional support to households through the Industry Initiatives element of the scheme, including financial assistance. This support can be provided irrespective of whether a household is eligible for a rebate.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Autumn Statement 2022, published on 17 November 2022, CP 751, if he will take steps to introduce an additional Alternative Fuel Payment to reflect the revised Energy Price Guarantee after April 2023.
Answered by Graham Stuart
At the Autumn Statement, the Government doubled the Alternative Fuel Payment from £100 to £200 to give additional support for households that use alternative fuels in recognition of the cost-of-living pressures caused by these rising fuel costs. This is a one-off payment and there is currently no plan to make further payments. The Government does, however, continue to keep the AFP under review, including monitoring future price changes in alternative fuels.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he will publish an additional Alternative Fuel Payment to reflect the energy price cap announced by Ofgem for the January 2023 to March 2023 period.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government has doubled to £200 the level of support for households that use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, LPG, coal or biomass, to heat their homes. This support will be delivered as soon as possible this winter.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether energy suppliers receive a fee for administering the Government's energy support measures.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is not providing energy suppliers a fee for administering the Government’s energy support measures.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the resilience of steel production in the UK.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The UK steel industry not only underpins a range of domestic industries; it forms the core of some local communities and economies. The Government remains committed to a UK steel industry and a decarbonised future, supporting local economic growth and our levelling-up agenda.
Global economic conditions continue to be challenging for the steel industry and the Government is working with the sector, the unions and devolved regions to support its transition to a competitive, sustainable, and low carbon future.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress his Department has made on establishing the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund; and when park home residents are likely to receive the £400 payment.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is working urgently with a range of organisations, such as local authorities, as well as Devolved Administrations and across UK Government, to finalise the details and have the process up and running for applications this winter