Households in Fuel Poverty 2023-05-24
2023-05-24
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific background given. The question focuses on the estimate of households in fuel poverty.
What estimate he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the number of households in fuel poverty in Wales?
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. As a result of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, households in Wales have seen their energy bills increase, which is why the Government have provided support totalling £94 billion, or £3,300 per household, to help with higher bills.
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Assessment & feedback
Estimate of the number of households in fuel poverty not provided
Discussed General Energy Support Instead
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent is a mother and carer of a disabled child, struggling to afford energy in the coming winter.
What direct advice does the Secretary of State have for my constituent and thousands like her who are in a hopeless situation?
There are indeed many people suffering at the moment, and I feel very sorry for the hon. Gentleman's constituent. The Government have supported households with the rising cost of living by maintaining the energy price guarantee at £2,500 from April to June 2023, saving households an additional £160. Over the winter, the Government were paying on average about half of people's energy bills. For those living in households where someone has a disability, there has been an extra payment of £150.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific advice for families with disabled children not provided
Discussed General Energy Support Instead
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent statistics show that almost a quarter of those in the private rented sector are living in fuel poverty, compared with only 13% of homeowners.
Will the Secretary of State set out what additional support those who live in the private rented sector will get from the Government?
The Government are certainly not sitting idly around and not supporting people. The Government do not differentiate between people in private and people in rented accommodation; we have stipulated that those who are the least well off will get the most support. That is why we have ensured that pensions have gone up in line with inflation, the minimum wage has gone up in line with inflation, and those living on benefits have seen their benefits rise in line with inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
Additional support for private rented sector not specified
Discussed General Support Measures Instead
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Shell is making significant profits while many families are struggling with fuel poverty.
When will his Government get a grip, close the loopholes worth billions and extend the windfall tax?
The hon. Gentleman should be aware that the Government have extended the windfall tax and are charging very high levels of tax—indeed, about three times the usual level—on companies taking oil out of the North sea. It is extraordinary that those who call for a windfall tax on energy companies do not recognise that we are already levying it and do not want to support the Government in allowing more oil and gas to be exploited from the North sea, which will enable us to raise even more in taxation.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Energy bills are still almost double what they were before the crisis began.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the way to get energy bills down for good is to back Labour's policy to retrofit 19 million homes and reach 100% clean power by 2030?
I have no idea who would be paying for the hon. Gentleman's proposals—no doubt they are among the many things that will be paid for using the same tax about half a dozen times. He will no doubt be pleased that today inflation is down yet again, and the Government are well on course for achieving their target of cutting inflation by half as well as growing the economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Agreement or disagreement with Labour's policy not provided
Discussed Current Economic Situation Instead
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Food inflation remains high, and supermarkets are making record profits.
Why will the Secretary of State's Government not do that too?
I have already mentioned some of the help and support that the Government have given to the least well-off. I remind the right hon. Lady that, in addition to pensions and benefits rising in line with inflation, there are payments of £900 to those on benefits, £300 to pensioners and £150 to those in households with disability. Quite frankly, if she is seriously worried about food inflation, she should be talking to her colleagues in the Welsh Labour Government who are propping up the Welsh Labour Government about their ridiculous proposals to ban meal deals, which would make meals even more expensive for people in Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
Reason why government is not negotiating with supermarkets not provided
Discussed General Support Measures Instead
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Tory Brexit has served Wales badly, with powers being taken away from the Senedd.
Will the Secretary of State support Plaid Cymru's Bill and ensure time for debate?
Far from taking powers away from the Welsh Government, the Conservative Government have, on a number of occasions, actually increased powers to the Welsh Government. By leaving the European Union, we have repatriated powers from Brussels, where we were being governed by an unelectable elite, and brought them back to both Westminster and Cardiff. If the right hon. Lady wants to stop money being wasted, she should have a word with her colleagues in Plaid Cymru, who are propping up the Welsh Labour Government as they waste hundreds of millions of pounds in the Betsi Cadwaladr health service, hundreds of millions of pounds on an airport with no planes, and over £100 million on plans for a relief road that will never get built.
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Assessment & feedback
Agreement or disagreement on supporting Plaid Cymru's bill not provided
Discussed General Devolution Measures Instead
Response accuracy