Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Gethins Excerpts

Tuesday 14th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Martin McCluskey]

We are taking action through the warm home discount, which is being provided to an extra 2.7 million households across the country, and the warm homes plan, which we will roll out before the end of the year.

[Stephen Gethins (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry) (SNP)]

5. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of energy prices on economic growth.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Martin McCluskey)]

High and volatile energy prices are bad for growth, take money out of consumers’ pockets and make our businesses less competitive. Through our mission to achieve clean power by 2030, we are taking the country off the rollercoaster of global fossil fuel prices and have set a route to home-grown cheap and greener energy.

[Stephen Gethins]

The Minister and I come from one of the most energy-rich parts of Europe, yet its consumers have among the highest energy bills in Europe. That drives up fuel poverty and hits the cost of living crisis. He will be aware of that. Labour promised to bring down bills by £300; they will have gone up by about the same amount. Does the Minister understand why people are so frustrated with the Government?

[Martin McCluskey]

Like the hon. Member, I understand people’s frustration when they look at their energy bills each month. [Interruption.] That promise stands. That is why we are taking concerted action through the warm home discount, which is providing 2.7 million households with support this winter, and the warm homes plan, which we will roll out this year.