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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the cost of energy bills on the rate of inflation; and what steps they are taking to improve price competition in the energy sector.

The Office of National Statistics is responsible for publishing data on inflation rates and how household costs may impact inflation. The most recent update was published on 22 May.

The government wants to see a dynamic and innovative energy market. We continue to work with Ofgem to improve competition, which in recent years has increased dramatically. There are now around 60 suppliers in the market compared with only 12 in 2010 offering consumers choice and value for money, so that switching supplier can save customers hundreds on their energy bills each year.