Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of applicants who have withdrawn from the Solar Together programme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government has not made an assessment on the Solar Together scheme, which has been adopted by a number of local authorities.
The Government welcomes more deployment of rooftop solar panels and is supportive of innovative solutions that deliver cost effective installations for consumers.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of the impact of the (a) Energy Bills Discount Scheme and (b) Energy Bill Relief Scheme on support for pubs.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April until March 2024 and continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers including pubs. A Treasury-led review into the operation of the current Energy Bill Relief Schemes was conducted with the objective of significantly reducing the overall burden on public finances, and ensuring support is targeted at those most in need and unable to adjust to recent energy price rises. The Government recognises these are difficult times for pubs, therefore, alongside the continued support with energy bills, the Government is also cutting business rates by 75% as well as a six-month extension to the alcohol duty freeze.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress has been made on discussions with domestic suppliers to allow people who predominantly use gas to receive support from the Energy Bill Support Scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) is delivering a £400 non-repayable government discount to households with a domestic electricity contract in Great Britain.
Customers paying for their electricity via direct debit or smart prepayment meter will receive the discount directly. Customers with traditional prepayment meters are receiving the discount via vouchers or Special Action Messages from their supplier.
Transferring Energy Bills Support Scheme payments from electricity meters to gas meters is allowed under the scheme. This is at the discretion of the energy supplier and encourages them to offer their customers as much flexibility as possible.