Energy Bills Alternative Fuels 2023-02-28
2023-02-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Households using alternative fuels have reported concerns over energy bill support, with some not receiving assistance and others facing difficulties due to application methods.
What steps has the government taken to provide energy bill support to households that use alternative fuels? Many people in Meon Valley use heating oil for their heating, and many have contacted me concerned they have not received Government support yet. Some are having to wait because they are having to apply by phone. Can my right hon Friend confirm support is being rolled out and crucially that it will be received by those who are eligible in time for this winter?
Alternative fuel users have received significant support this winter: first, by direct subsidy of their electricity bills per unit; secondly, through £400 of additional payments across the winter; and thirdly, by £200 paid automatically, for the vast majority, by their electricity supplier. A small minority will need to apply and that portal will open soon.
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Assessment & feedback
The exact timeline for those who have not received support yet was not specifically addressed, only promised to be rolled out 'soon'.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Many residents in Meon Valley rely on heating oil and have not received government assistance, causing concern about timely receipt of support.
Can my right hon Friend confirm that support is being rolled out and crucially that it will be received by those who are eligible in time for this winter?
I pay tribute to my hon Friend's efforts to highlight the issue throughout the winter. The vast majority of people on alternative fuels have received that payment or credit this month and the portal will open imminently for those without an electricity supply, ensuring they receive £400 from the EBS scheme as quickly as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline for timely receipt of support by eligible recipients was not explicitly stated.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government provided £600 to customers in Northern Ireland due to a high incidence of off-grid energy users, and the statistic is even higher in Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
Can we have consistency from the UK Government? Rather than paying £400 and asking people to apply for another £200—knowing that some will fall through the gaps—we need a consistent approach, given the statistics and geography supporting this, which pays my constituents £600 as well.
His constituents will have received the £200 in addition to the £400 through their electricity supplier. The small minority who do not have an electricity supply will be able to apply on the portal very soon, resulting in the same net effect as seen in Northern Ireland where each person has received £600 of direct subsidy.
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Assessment & feedback
The consistency of approach was not fully addressed, focusing instead on the current process and timeline for those without electricity supply.
Response accuracy