Warm Home Discount Fuel Poverty 2025-10-14

2025-10-14

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Paul Waugh Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Context
The Warm Home Discount scheme has been extended to help more low-income households. Paul Waugh raises the case of his constituent, Keith Gumbridge, who faced significant legal issues after a botched cavity wall insulation project.
I am delighted that thanks to this Government and the warm home discount eligibility extension, thousands more Rochdale families will be eligible for £150 off their bills this winter. It will ensure that young and old alike get more help with their bills this winter. I would like to raise the case of my constituent Keith Gumbridge, who had his cavity wall insulation botched under the previous Government, and who was left with huge legal bills after so-called “no win, no fee” law firm Pure Legal went bust. Mr Gumbridge’s case has been with the Legal Ombudsman for nearly three years; does the Minister agree that that is far too long to wait for justice?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for all his work championing causes for his constituents. He will know that an extra 280,000 households in the north-west will be eligible for the warm home discount, and that 2.7 million households across the country will be helped this year. I would be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the case of Mr Gumbridge. Ensuring confidence in the insulation system will be crucial to rolling out the warm homes plan.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether it is far too long for Keith Gumbridge's case to have been pending with the Legal Ombudsman for nearly three years.
Deflection
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Adam Jogee Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Context
The Warm Home Discount scheme has been extended to help more low-income households. Adam Jogee welcomes the extension but seeks further action.
I congratulate the Minister on being freed from the Government Whips Office and welcome him to his position on the Front Bench. I commend the Government on extending the warm home discount to a further 2.7 million low-income households, but there is much more to do. With that in mind, will the Minister find time to meet me, so that we can discuss how we can keep people in Newcastle-under-Lyme alive, safe and warm in the colder months ahead?
I thank my hon. Friend for his comments on my liberation from the Government Whips Office. I know that he is a champion for his constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and I am always happy to meet to discuss these important issues. He will know, as I do, that with wholesale gas costs 77% higher than before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we must get people off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and on to clean home-grown power.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy