Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of allowing households to opt-out of the £200 Energy Bills Rebate planned for October 2022 and redirecting those funds to support households on the lowest income.

All domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will receive a £200 reduction in their electricity costs from this October. This will be delivered via energy suppliers and will be clearly identifiable as a line item on electricity bills.

This will help people with the increase in energy bills by spreading the increased costs over a few years, so they are more manageable for households.

In addition, eligible households in council tax bands A-D will receive a £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate. Further detail on the council tax rebate and discretionary funding will be set out shortly by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Local authorities will then confirm exactly how the rebate and discretionary funding will be administered in each area.

The government is providing further support for vulnerable households, elderly and low-income people this winter through the Warm Home Discount - which is being expanded by a third to 3m people and increased to £150 - up to £300 Winter Fuel Payment and £25 per week Cold Weather Payment, which help ensure those most vulnerable are better able to heat their homes. Our £500m Household Support Fund will also help vulnerable households with the costs of essentials over the winter.