Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of offering repayment matching to households that are unable to afford their energy bills.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government understands the challenges that are posed by cost of living pressures that includes energy bills and the impact of debt. However, energy prices have fallen significantly with the price cap more than halving from £4,279 at the start of this year to £1,834 since the start of October.
This coincides with the £900 cost of living payment being provided by the Government across 2023/24, which has increased from the £650 provided the previous year. The Government continues to closely monitor energy prices and will keep support schemes under review.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for consulting on options for a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets after April 2024.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
As set out in the Autumn statement, the Government is working with consumer groups and industry to explore the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024, as part of wider retail market reforms.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number of disabled people who were no longer eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme following changes to eligibility criteria in winter 2022-23.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
As households previously applied through their suppliers, who set their own application processes and eligibility criteria and selected successful applicants each year, the Government has not been able to assess how many households are no longer eligible.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reversing the changes to Warm Home Discount scheme eligibility that exclude disabled people.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Warm Home Discount was reformed in England and Wales to maximise the proportion of households in fuel poverty receiving rebates. The Government estimated that 54% of those receiving rebates will be those with a long-term illness or disability, compared to 35% of the general population and 47% of those in fuel poverty having a long-term illness or disability.