Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the number of households experiencing fuel poverty excluded from the Warm Homes Discount because they do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier.

The Government will keep under consideration how energy support can most effectively reach households. We have to balance the needs of those in fuel poverty with bill impacts on other consumers. We estimate that 5.9 million households will receive a WHD rebate in 2026/27. We have no evidence to indicate whether households in receipt of a qualifying benefit but without a direct relationship with an energy supplier are more or less likely to be fuel poor than those households in receipt of WHD.

Consumers who do not receive a rebate may also be supported through Warm Home Discount Industry Initiatives. These include energy advice, boiler and central heating replacements, financial assistance payments, debt write-off, and benefit entitlement checks.

The Government has also introduced the £1 billion Crisis and Resilience fund which replaces the Household Support Fund in England, providing support with cost-of-living pressures. We recommend any household struggling to pay for their essentials contacts their local authority to see if they are eligible for this support.