Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about recent estimates of families in fuel poverty.
What recent estimate has the Department made of the number of families in fuel poverty?
In 2022 there were an estimated 3.26 million households—13.4%—in fuel poverty in England.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about energy companies' profits and families in fuel poverty.
Recent figures show that energy companies such as Shell make £61,000 a minute. Meanwhile, there are 13,255 families in Luton living in fuel poverty. Pensioners with chronic health conditions risk their health due to unaffordable heating costs. Why has the Minister not extended windfall tax or closed loopholes?
The Government have applied a levy on these energy companies. We are launching our “Claim your energy voucher” day on Thursday 31 May to ensure households claim their vouchers, particularly those on prepayment meters.
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Assessment & feedback
Extending windfall tax or closing loopholes
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the Government's record on energy efficiency targets.
The Environmental Audit Committee criticised the Government's energy efficiency target as vague and unspecific, with a poor record on energy efficiency. 16.6% of households in Blackburn are in fuel poverty. Is it true that the pace of energy efficiency under this government is too slow?
We have paid around half a typical household's energy bill. Multiple schemes are in place targeted at the most in need, including the social housing decarbonisation fund, home upgrade grant and the energy company obligation scheme.
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Assessment & feedback
The pace of energy efficiency being too slow
Response accuracy