Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of the rising cost of living on the (a) veterinary, (b) pet food, (c) energy and (d) animal care supplies costs associated with companion animal welfare.

HM Government is concerned about the impact of rising bills on all aspects of people's lives and businesses, including the costs associated with companion animal welfare. Defra remains in close contact with animal welfare organisations and meets them regularly to understand issues that are affecting the sector, including the impact of rising bills on veterinary, pet food, energy and animal care supply costs.

The details of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme were announced on 21st September 2022. The scheme will initially run for six months covering energy use from 1^st October 2022 until 31 ^st March 2023. The scheme applies to all non-domestic energy customers, including businesses involved with companion animal welfare that are on eligible contracts.

To support households, HM Government's Energy Price Guarantee will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas so that a typical household in Great Britain will save around £700 this Winter, based on what energy prices would have been under the current price cap - reducing bills by roughly a third. The scheme will run from 1^st October to 31^st March, with a Treasury-led review underway to consider more targeted support after this period.

Sector groups are closely monitoring the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and identifying where more support may be needed. We welcome the support they are providing through pet food banks and financial support with veterinary treatment during these difficult times.