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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to open the online application portal for Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding; and whether he plans to offer back payments to match funding provided by other energy support schemes which have made direct payments to individuals.

The application portal for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding is due to open in January 2023. Once customers have applied to receive support and their applications have been processed and verified, eligible customers’ details will be shared with Local Authorities across England, Scotland and Wales. Local Authorities will deliver the one-off, non-repayable £400 of support in a single instalment.