Illustrates the impact of covid on people living in fuel poverty, underlining the necessity of retaining the £20-a-week universal credit uplift.

Welcomes the debate on fuel poverty and acknowledges that despite a new strategy introduced by the government to address the issue, 3.2 million households in England still suffer from fuel poverty under the new metric. Emphasises that changes in methodology mean there is now an explicit recognition of energy efficiency as a key factor contributing to fuel poverty. Criticises the government's current strategies for being short-term and poorly funded, highlighting the failure of the £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme. Calls for a coherent plan in the upcoming heat and buildings strategy to improve property energy efficiency, especially within the private rented sector. Stresses the need for a three-pronged approach: improving energy efficiency, ensuring adequate income support, and managing energy prices.

Supports the Government's aim of reducing fuel poverty. Advocates for three methods: improving home efficiency, lowering fuel prices, and increasing income through better jobs. Urges the Minister to collaborate with the Treasury on VAT reductions for insulation materials and other green products. Suggests removing VAT entirely from domestic fuels to reduce expenses further. Proposes revisiting electricity policy for cheaper energy options and calls for reliable power generation within Britain. Emphasises the importance of clean air in all fuel-burning processes. Advocates for levelling up through education, training, and promoting better-paid jobs alongside a robust industrial base.

Fuel poverty is a debilitating issue causing mental and physical health problems, costing the NHS up to £2 billion annually in related health conditions. In Scotland, colder climate and high proportion of off-gas-grid homes exacerbate fuel poverty; many customers pay significantly more for heating due to surcharges on electricity. National Energy Action estimates 10,000 premature deaths a year linked to fuel poverty. UK Government's policies impact Scottish efforts despite energy efficiency being devolved in Scotland. The removal of the universal credit uplift will push more people into fuel poverty. Calls for VAT reduction on insulation measures and changes to ECO scheme highlighted by various committees. The failed green deal scheme victims need compensation, while renewable energy funding adds pressure to electricity bills. Advocates direct UK Government investment and follows Scottish Government's lead in prioritising energy efficiency investments. Scotland’s Warmer Homes Scotland scheme has helped over 20,000 households since its launch in 2015. Home Energy Scotland offers free advice on paying energy bills and considering low carbon heating solutions.

Ms Hart highlights the issue of fuel poverty, noting that some 3.2 million households in England are currently in fuel poverty, with around 600,000 individuals falling into it during the coronavirus pandemic. She emphasises the harsh reality of parents having to choose between heating and eating for their children's meals. In her constituency, over 10% of households are in fuel poverty. However, she recognises the Government's efforts with the warm home discount expansion helping nearly three million homes save £150 a year on electricity bills, and £62 million awarded to social landlords under the social housing decarbonisation fund demonstrator programme for retrofitting at scale. She calls for a new grant system to help households improve energy efficiency without burdening them with large costs.

Mr Evans briefly acknowledges the contributions of other MPs, encouraging concise speeches so that all members can participate fully in the debate. He does not provide a detailed position on fuel poverty but rather calls for brevity to accommodate everyone's views.

Mr Stone discusses the high levels of fuel poverty in his constituency, particularly noting that nearly all households in the county of Sutherland are in fuel poverty. He highlights the issue of electricity distribution charges being higher in the Highlands compared to other parts of the UK, despite producing significant amounts of green energy which is exported southwards. He requests an update on a £60 million fund aimed at mitigating high distribution costs and supports reducing VAT on installation materials for efficiency improvements.

Mr Evans again briefly acknowledges the contributions of other MPs, encouraging concise speeches to ensure all participants can speak within the allotted time frame.

Sir David discusses his private Member’s Bill from 20 years ago aimed at eliminating fuel poverty. While he acknowledges progress, such as a reduction of 34% between 2010 and 2019, he emphasises that the issue remains significant today. He calls for stronger legislative measures to ensure an end to fuel poverty by 2030, advocating for a duty on the Government to make domestic properties have at least EPC band C ratings. Sir David also supports Age Concern initiatives in Southend and advocates for preventive measures to keep people healthier and active.

Today is the first opportunity to debate fuel poverty since November last year. Despite being a devolved issue, two of its three key drivers—energy prices and income—are reserved matters. The House must consider the impact of living in a fuel-poor household, which causes physical and mental distress and ill health. I urge the Government to address the loophole that allows existing customers to subsidise new energy customers, which is considered regressive by the Environmental Audit Committee. Fuel poverty affects vulnerable populations disproportionately, with cold homes increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, respiratory illnesses, and exacerbating asthma, chest problems, breathing difficulties, and mental health issues in children.

The scale of fuel poverty in England is unacceptably high, with more than one in 10 households forced to spend more on energy. In Coventry, this figure nearly doubles. The pandemic has exacerbated fuel poverty by slashing incomes and increasing home energy usage. Over 2.5 million people will be forced to repay fuel debt incurred during the pandemic, which many cannot afford. I urge the Government to revive and strengthen policies supporting those in fuel poverty. Sustained investment in making homes more energy-efficient is crucial; the Conservative party promised £2.5 billion for a home upgrade grant scheme but has yet to follow through. Single parents and their children are most negatively impacted by fuel poverty, and must be prioritised.

Fuel poverty is like food poverty: it is not complicated. It requires better-paid jobs, affordable housing and reinvestment in the welfare state. More than 3 million households were in fuel poverty before the pandemic due to costly fuel metres and punitive penalties for entering into arrears on prepayment metres. Universal credit delays and sanctions exacerbate this crisis, as do debts that can lead to prison sentences. Health services spend £1.3 billion annually treating cold homes' impacts like bronchitis, leading to emotional and mental health difficulties. There is no provision for energy bills like there is for water bills with lower-income households paying less. The Government must review measures and commit to a social tariff or similar measure.

Fuel poverty forces people to choose between feeding their family or heating their home, affecting 3.2 million households in the UK. In Bath and North East Somerset, over 10% of households are struggling with fuel bills despite an excellent Citizens Advice service. Poor housing conditions exacerbate this problem, as energy inefficient homes add to household costs while worsening health conditions like mental health issues. The pandemic worsened financial hardship due to increased energy costs for those working from home. Government reliance on the Energy Company Obligation and warm home discount is insufficient; we need a coherent plan driving retrofitting of old housing stock with more training programmes, tough energy efficiency regulations, and local authority powers to lead delivery schemes.

Fuel poverty has increased during the pandemic, with many unable to afford heating and basic necessities. Initiatives like insulation of homes are crucial for addressing fuel poverty and must be resourced properly.

Approximately 3.2 million households in England face fuel poverty, with the situation worsened by the pandemic. Urges the Minister to end injustice in benefit uplifts and supports Liverpool City Council's citizen support scheme.

The debate highlighted the human cost of fuel poverty and called for renewed vigour in addressing it. Emphasises the need for clear strategies from the Government to close the gap between ambition and action on eliminating fuel poverty.

The debate has been powerful and important, with a focus on reducing fuel poverty through energy efficiency measures. The speaker thanked Members for their contributions, including those advocating for VAT reduction on green products and addressing terminal illness issues in Scotland. She highlighted the importance of working closely with local authorities to support insulation projects and praised her colleagues' dedication, especially regarding band C requirement as part of the fuel poverty strategy. Emphasis was placed on achieving ambitious targets by 2030 through schemes such as the social housing decarbonisation fund and the home upgrade grant.

The House will suspend briefly for sanitisation of Dispatch Boxes before resuming with the next debate.