Families in Fuel Poverty 2023-09-19
2023-09-19
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows reports and data indicating a significant number of families in fuel poverty, particularly affecting Bradford East where over 40,000 households are affected.
What estimate her Department has made of the number of families in fuel poverty. The context involves over 40,000 families in Bradford facing uncertainty and one in five constituents living in fuel poverty.
In 2022, there were an estimated 3.26 million households in fuel poverty. The additional support we provided last year prevented 350,000 households from falling into fuel poverty in 2022. The established targeted support remains in place, while from July 2023 household energy bills have been falling.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a current estimate of families in fuel poverty but gave statistics for previous years and general support measures.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows reports that over 40,000 families in Bradford are uncertain about their future due to fuel poverty. More than one in five constituents live in fuel poverty and there is a demand for windfall tax on energy profits.
Over 40,000 families in Bradford have been plunged into uncertainty as the Tory Government lurch from crisis to crisis. More than one in five of my constituents now live in fuel poverty, yet the Minister still comes here today with no real plans or solutions, and no real windfall tax on the booming profits of energy giants. What does she have to say to those who, frankly, have been abandoned and have to choose between a warm home, a full stomach and school uniforms for their children?
Having experienced fuel poverty myself when I was growing up, I do understand completely how the hon. Gentleman's constituents feel. That is why the Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that we support people. We have given unprecedented support. We have the warm home discount and the cost of living payment, among many other measures, to help constituents through the cost of living.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific plans or solutions for addressing fuel poverty or a windfall tax on energy company profits but acknowledged understanding and provided existing support measures.
Response accuracy