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 private energy suppliers (a) receiving and (b) disbursing payments to customers under the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding scheme.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) will be delivered by Local Authorities in Great Britain, and a contracted delivery partner in Northern Ireland, rather than private energy suppliers. We are expecting to pay Local Authorities and the contracted delivery partner ahead of scheme launch, or as soon after that as we receive their payment details, which we have requested. The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant Local Authority.