Energy Bill Relief Scheme Regulations 2022
Energy Prices (Domestic Supply) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022
Energy Bill Relief Scheme (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022
Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Alan Whitehead(1 year, 5 months ago)
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Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab)
Thank you, Sir Roger. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship.
Having agreed, as we of course should have done, to discuss all these statutory instruments in one go, we have a great deal of ground to cover very quickly in our discussions this evening. I will start my remarks on all the SIs by saying that although the Opposition have a number of concerns about the way the legislation itself was drafted and how the legislation was brought forward—I want to say a few things about that in a moment—we of course understand the pressing need to get the regulations on to the statute book as soon as possible, because of the speed at which all the arrangements have to be undertaken. We therefore do not intend to oppose them this evening, but I have some questions and thoughts for the Minister and I would be obliged if she responded to them, either this evening if she is able to or, if necessary, in writing at a future date.
The first question is about the circumstances in which these SIs have come about. As the Minister will know, they have come about from the Energy Prices Act, but also under particular powers placed in that Act to enable the Secretary of State to do an enormous number of things—to energy licences and various other things—without any further recourse to anybody.
The Minister will be familiar with section 21 of the Act, entitled “Power of the Secretary of State to modify energy licences etc”. It is not clear in that section whether any secondary legislation is required for a number of these modifications, if at all. Consequently, it appears that some of the things that are or should be relevant to our discussions this evening have gone through either in negative SIs—one in particular is on designation of local authorities—or with no reference to this Committee or this House at all.
I accept that that legislation is now on the statute book and it is what we are working with. As the Minister will know, there were suggestions at the time that the elements of the Bill that would allow things in effect to escape secondary scrutiny might at the very least have sunset clauses so that there is recognition of the urgency of the issues that we face at the moment but the provisions do not lie on the statute book for ever; that would enable the Minister to do whatever they wanted at a future date without any reference to anybody.
Considerable concerns have been raised by industry about the nature of these arrangements and what that means for investment certainty. Companies may be concerned that the licence arrangements could be changed—overnight, for example—without any further recourse either to them or to this House. They would consider that potentially to be a bit of a problem in relation to investment certainty for the future. Will the Minister say something not just about the measure we are scrutinising, but about future legislation—
Dr Whitehead
Unfortunately, the privacy notice specifically requires that personalised data, including names, location, meter usage, amount of usage and habits of the person using the meter, be provided. That was in the privacy notice dated in early October and transferred to schedule 5 of the legislation in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. That is what the Government are asking to be provided, and that is what I think is in breach of the framework.
Ms Ghani
I do not think it is correct that it is in breach, but I will make sure the hon. Gentleman is written to. The motivation is to ensure that, on a case-by-case basis, we tackle any consumers who are deliberately providing false meter readings, including business customers misrepresenting themselves as domestic customers. Those are the motivations behind this measure, but I will ensure that correspondence is shared so that accurate information is available.
A question was asked about fixed-term contracts and the duration of the scheme. All businesses on a non-domestic contract that are on an existing fixed-price contract that was agreed on or after 1 December 2021, people signing a new fixed-price contract, people on deemed, out-of-contract or variable tariffs, and people on flexible purchase, or similar contracts, will be eligible for support until the end of the scheme.
A point was made about the level of engagement and a meeting that took place with the Minister for Climate. I will ensure that any updates are provided in writing. I was not privy to that meeting, but it is good to know that Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Ministers are making themselves available to all Members from across the House.
A question was asked about wider energy prices. The Energy Prices Act 2022 makes clear when various aspects of it can be used: namely, in response to the current energy situation or directly in relation to the Act. The vast majority of the powers in the Act are time-limited, including the powers to make regulations and any other decisions.
Fundamentally, the Government remain committed to ensuring that consumers receive help with the rising energy costs. These regulations are vital in ensuring that support is delivered this coming winter.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That the Committee has considered the Energy Bill Relief Scheme Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022 No. 1100).
ENERGY PRICES (DOMESTIC SUPPLY) (NORTHERN IRELAND) REGULATIONS 2022
Resolved,
That the Committee has considered the Energy Prices (Domestic Supply) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022, No. 1105). —(Ms Ghani.)
ENERGY BILL RELIEF SCHEME (NORTHERN IRELAND) REGULATIONS 2022
Resolved,
That the Committee has considered the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022, No. 1106). —(Ms Ghani.)