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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page 78 of the publication entitled Queen's Speech 2017: background briefing notes, if his Department will estimate the number of vulnerable energy customers on the poorest value tariffs who will be covered by extending energy price protection; and if he will make a statement.

My rt. 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 Ofgem’s proposals and their potential impact on vulnerable consumers, in deciding on how to proceed.