Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by concerns over the trend of fuel poverty in England since 2018. Previous data showed a reduction in households in fuel poverty between 2010 and 2021.
What assessment has her Department made of trends in the level of fuel poverty since 2018? This is based on previous observations where the share of households in fuel poverty in England reduced every year between 2010 and 2021, with energy efficiency being a key driver.
The share of households in fuel poverty in England reduced every year between 2010 and 2021, with energy efficiency being the key driver. Although fuel poverty is devolved, we continue to engage with the devolved Administrations, including on specific schemes such as the energy company obligation and the warm home discount.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over the global erosion of human rights and rising fuel poverty in the UK have prompted this question. The MP suggests that declaring access to energy as a human right would ensure people are not cut off from energy due to inability to pay.
Across the world and in the United Kingdom, human rights are being eroded and fuel poverty is on the rise. This Government could address both by declaring access to energy a human right. It would mean that people could not be cut off willy-nilly simply because they could not afford to pay for their energy at that time. Does the Minister agree that energy should be a human right? If not, will she tell me which human beings she believes should not have the right to heat their homes?
As the hon. Lady indicated, the Government take fuel poverty incredibly seriously. Everybody has the right to heat. We have been helping people with their energy bills, including a £900 cost of living allowance, as well as all the great things that we announced in the autumn statement.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not explicitly agree or disagree on declaring access to energy as a human right but instead reaffirmed the Government's commitment to addressing fuel poverty.
As The Hon. Lady Indicated, The Government Take Fuel Poverty Incredibly Seriously.
Response accuracy