Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring that the Government hold discussions with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service before applying the provisions of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This Government has been clear that it does not want to use this legislation in a service area unless it has to.
The legislation is also clear that before making regulations setting out what is an appropriate minimum level of service in a particular area the Secretary of State must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill on union members undertaking sustained periods of (a) work to rule and (b) other action short of a strike.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is currently finalising the impact assessment for Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill and intends to publish this shortly.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he plans to take to negotiate with trade unions who have balloted for industrial action.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It is up to unions to negotiate with employers, we encourage them to do so. Strikes should always be a last resort. In relation to disputes in the public sector, the Government has reached out to the relevant trade unions to invite them to discuss how to end disputes and agree fair and affordable pay settlements for 2023 to 2024.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to encourage energy providers to reduce direct debit payments from customers with accounts in credit.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to energy companies on 26 November asking them to make their systems more responsive so that direct debits better reflect the amount of energy used. It is also an area of focus for Ofgem’s Market Compliance Reviews where Ofgem have taken steps to ensure credit balances are kept at an appropriate level and that direct debits are not set too high. The latest review can be found here https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-launches-new-proposals-strengthen-energy-market-and-protect-consumers.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help ensure energy providers consider the personal circumstances of customers prior to switching them on to a prepayment (a) tariffs and (b) meters.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Ofgem has rules in place that restrict the force-fitting of a prepayment meter on customers who are in debt, except as a last resort. This includes considerations of whether a consumer’s vulnerability makes a prepayment meter a poor choice, for example where medical equipment is required, there is a child under five, or someone in the household has a disability. Suppliers are required to follow specific processes before switching a customer to a prepayment tariff or meter, which are monitored by Ofgem.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the Citizens Advice Report Kept in the dark - The urgent need for action on prepayment meters.
Answered by Graham Stuart
There are strict Ofgem rules in place to protect prepayment meter customers. Installing prepayment meters without consent to recover debt must be a last resort. If suppliers install a prepayment meter, they must verify that it is safe and reasonably practicable to do so.
Ofgem has recently conducted a Market Compliance Review assessing how suppliers support customers in vulnerable situations, including assessing suppliers’ processes for installing prepayment meters. To drive improvements, Ofgem has started compliance engagement with suppliers and required them to take action to address the weaknesses that have been identified. The Government expects suppliers to comply fully with their obligations and welcomes the steps Ofgem is taking.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help ensure energy companies notify customers before increasing direct debit payments.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to energy companies on 26 November asking them to make their systems more responsive so that direct debits better reflect the amount of energy being used. It is also an area of focus for Ofgem’s Market Compliance Reviews where Ofgem have taken steps to ensure credit balances are kept at an appropriate level and that direct debits are not set too high. The latest review can be found here:
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2022 to Question 92266 on Climate Change Convention, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of opening a new coal mine in Cumbria on the Government's priorities for COP28.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has agreed to grant planning permission for a new coking coal mine in Cumbria, The reasons for the Secretary of State’s decision are set out in full in his published letter, which takes into account matters like the demand for coal, climate change and impact on the local economy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/called-in-decision-former-marchon-site-pow-beck-valley-and-area-from-the-former-marchon-site-to-st-bees-coast-whitehaven-cumbria-ref-3271069-7.
The UK remains committed to playing a leadership role on the global stage on tackling climate change, including through implementing its ambitious net zero commitment and NDC; both of which align with the Paris temperature goal, and in delivering the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5 in reach.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the impact on low-income households of the prices charged by energy companies to customers with pre-payment meters; and if he will take steps to ensure that energy companies do not impose higher charges for energy on customers with pre-payment meters as a result of their payment method.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The energy Supply Licence Conditions state that the difference in price between methods of supplying energy must reflect the actual cost to the supplier for that method. The costs of managing PPMs compared to standard meters are higher due to the different metering requirements and different payment systems. Ofgem is responsible for monitoring compliance with these terms.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of households that have been visited by (a) debt collectors and (b) bailiffs due to the non-payment of energy bills in the last 12 months; and whether his Department is taking steps to monitor trends in this data.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government and the independent regulator, Ofgem, do not collect data about actions on individual customer accounts. The Government introduced the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme which aims to address consumers’ ability to tackle debt and offers legal protections from creditors for 60 days. Under Ofgem rules, energy companies must set appropriate repayment plans based on a customer’s ability to pay, for those at risk of or in debt.