Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of how much will be provided in cost of living energy support for third and second homes.

The Government estimates around 545,000 second homes in Great Britain, which make up around 2% of the UK’s housing stock. If all of these homes were eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme grant, this could contribute a maximum estimate of £218million towards the cost of the scheme.

The Government is prioritising issuing the money to 29 million households by winter 2022. Accurately identifying second homeowners would delay the delivery of the scheme. Additionally, some second homes will be held in circumstances where the recipient may need cost of living support, such as providing a home for an elderly or disabled relative.