Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
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 discussions with Ofgem on disabled tenants in supported housing paying bills at domestic rates rather than business rates.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has regular discussions with Ofgem on a wide range of issues in relation to energy retail markets.
On 28 February Ofgem published a call for input on the non-domestic gas and electricity market. This included seeking inputs about the arrangements whereby some domestic customers have their energy supply collectively arranged for them by a managing entity that agrees a non-domestic energy contract, such as mobile park residents, care home residents, and residents of managed flats. Ofgem’s call for input is open until 31 March.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to provide additional financial support to disabled people in receipt of Income-related (a) Employment Support Allowance and (b) Personal Independence Payment to help replace the support provided by the one-off Warm Home Discount.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government has expanded the Warm Home Discount scheme this year, providing £150 rebates to over 3 million households, an increase of 800,000.
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.
The Government is providing additional assistance this winter through the Disability Cost of Living Payments, alongside the Energy Price Guarantee, Energy Bill Support Scheme and other Cost of Living Payments.
The Government has also committed to continue Cost of Living payments next winter and is working to develop a new approach to consumer protection in relation to energy, which will apply from April 2024 onwards.