Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to support households that did not receive support from the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund or the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) provided £400 to households with a domestic electricity meter. The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) provided £400 to around 900,000 households who were not supplied by a domestic electricity contract and who were unable to receive support automatically through EBSS. EBSS was operational until March 2023, and EBSS AF was open until 31 May 2023.

To protect public funds against potentially fraudulent activity, the Government required people applying for EBBS AF to show proof of address, such as a tenancy agreement or a utility bill. The Government understands that some households may not have been able to provide this evidence, which meant they were not able to apply for EBBS AF. The Government is working to determine if there is a robust method for these households to provide proof of their sole residence, whilst protecting public funds, so that support can be made available.