Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to his Answer of 25 November to Question 89897, Energy: Houseboats, what steps he is taking to (a) identify houseboat residents and (b) ensure they receive their Energy Bills Support Scheme payments in a timely manner, and what steps he is taking to ensure they have parity of support with residents on terra firma when the EBRS discount scheme ends.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding will provide support of £400 for energy bills for households without a domestic electricity supply, including those who are off the energy grid entirely. This may include houseboats, subject to eligibility checks. Eligibility, timescales and method of delivery will be announced shortly.

HM Treasury is currently conducting a review of the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme and evidence from a broad range of stakeholders has already been received. The Government intends to report on this by the end of the year.