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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress the Government is making on its plans for the introduction of a cap on energy bills; and if he will make a statement.

The detriment to retail energy customers on poor value standard variable tariffs, which was identified by the Competition and Market Authority as averaging £1.4bn a year, must be addressed.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to the Chief Executive of Ofgem asking him to advise on what action the regulator intends to take to safeguard consumers on the poorest value tariffs and to consider the future of standard variable tariffs. The Secretary of State will consider further action in the light of Ofgem’s proposals and remains prepared to legislate if necessary.