Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Scotland has a high level of fuel poverty, with one third of households living in it. The UK Government pledged to cut energy bills by £300 but the chairman of GB Energy could not confirm when this would happen.
Despite Scotland being one of the most energy-rich nations in Europe, decades of mismanagement by different colours of UK Government—whether Labour or Conservative—have led to a shocking one third of households in Scotland living in fuel poverty. That number is set to rise, along with energy bills. The Government were elected on Labour’s pledge to cut energy bills by £300, but yesterday the chair of GB Energy admitted that that was “not in its remit” and was completely unable to say when bills would come down, alleviating fuel poverty. If this is not another broken promise from the Prime Minister, can the Secretary of State confirm exactly when in this parliamentary term consumers in Scotland will see that reduction?
Fuel poverty is devolved in Scotland. The Scottish Government have had the opportunity to make a dent in this problem for almost 20 years and they have not. Even now, as we are ramping up upgrades to help people with fuel poverty, the Scottish Government are raiding more than £200 million from retrofitting funds that could help families today. I will take no lectures from the hon. Gentleman on how we tackle this problem.
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Assessment & feedback
When during this parliamentary term consumers in Scotland will see a reduction in energy bills as promised by the government.
The Issue Is Devolved To The Scottish Government.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
N/A as Wendy Chamberlain was not present.
N/A as Wendy Chamberlain was not present.
My hon. Friend is completely right. There is no justification for raiding retrofitting budgets, because we know that is the route by which we upgrade people’s homes to deliver homes that are warmer and cheaper to run. We are doing our bit to drive down energy bills and deliver clean power, which is the route to energy security and financial security. The Scottish Government need to crack on and do their bit.
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Assessment & feedback
N/A as Wendy Chamberlain was not present.
The Issue Is Devolved To The Scottish Government.
Response accuracy