Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with (a) families with children who receive life-saving treatment at home for chronic diseases and disabilities an (b) representatives of families with children who receive life-saving treatment at home for chronic diseases and disabilities on the impact of the rising cost of energy.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and I meet regularly to discuss a range of topics including the rises in energy bills and the cost of living. The Government also meets with disability focus groups and charities to understand the impacts the changes in the cost of living are having on disadvantaged people, which includes those who use life-saving treatment at home. The Government recognises that the rising cost of living has presented additional financial challenges to many people, and especially to the most vulnerable members of society, such as disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. That is why the Government has taken decisive action to support households while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way. This includes the announcement at Autumn Statement of a further Disability Cost of Living payment of £150 in 2023/24 to people in receipt of extra-costs disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), in addition to the £150 payment from the Cost of Living package in May last year. These payments can be received in addition to the other Cost of Living Payments for households on means-tested benefits, namely the £650 payment announced in May and the additional £900 payment announced at Autumn Statement.

For those not eligible for this support, or who may need additional help, the government is making another £1bn available (including Barnett funding for the devolved administrations) from 01 April 2023 to enable a further twelve-month extension to the Household Support Fund in England. The fund will continue to enable Local Authorities to support the most vulnerable households with the cost of food, energy and other essentials.