Cost of Energy Support for Families 2022-11-15
2022-11-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the cost of energy bills affecting families.
What recent steps his Department has taken to support families with the cost of energy bills. The Government have taken decisive action to support millions of households through various measures, including the £2,500 cap on average household energy costs and a £37 billion spending commitment for low-income households.
The Government have taken decisive action to support millions of households with the energy price guarantee, which caps the cost of energy at £2,500 for the average household. We are also spending £37 billion to support millions of low-income households.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP seeks information on the actual savings made by households due to government interventions.
Will my right hon. Friend tell me what the average household energy bill would have been if the Government had not intervened to help hard-working families across Britain? The PM mentioned that with the energy price guarantee, an average saving of £700 per consumer is expected.
With the energy price guarantee at £2,500, the average saving for consumers across the country—including his constituents in Leigh—is £700.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP has received correspondence from park home residents about their £400 support with energy bills. The resident's cost of electricity is increasing despite the help.
I have received correspondence from park home residents about the £400 of support with their bills. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that his Department and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are working together to get support to park home residents before the end of the year?
We have set up the energy bills support scheme alternative funding as a way of helping them. It is designed to give them the equivalent of the £400 that we are giving to people with more normal energy consumption patterns, and I will write to my hon. Friend with more details.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP received erroneous information from BBC Radio 4 regarding energy payment delays in Northern Ireland due to the non-operation of the Assembly.
Will the Chancellor confirm, first, that money is available for the package; secondly, that the energy companies are ready to deliver it; and thirdly, that the Government will keep their commitment to ensure that payments are made before Christmas? Will he also investigate whether civil servants are interfering in the political process in Northern Ireland?
We are absolutely determined to ensure that support gets out to everyone in the United Kingdom as quickly as possible this Christmas. I am not aware of any delay of the kind suggested, but I will make inquiries to confirm.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the inadequate level of cold weather payments set in 2008, suggesting a need for adjustment due to current energy crisis.
Today, it should be worth £37. Will the Chancellor collaborate with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and look into updating the figure in the light of the energy crisis?
I have had extensive discussions with our excellent new Work and Pensions Secretary about supporting people on low incomes. He will have to wait until Thursday for the details of our plan, but protecting the most vulnerable is a top priority.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly addressed as no commitment was made to update the cold weather payment rate.
Waiting Until Thursday
Vague Priorities Statement
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises the collapse of the green homes grant scheme and questions the government's commitment to insulating homes.
If the Government had followed our plan last year, 2 million of the coldest homes could already have been upgraded, saving households more than £2 billion on energy bills this year alone. Home insulation should be a no-brainer. Will the Chancellor explain why the Government will not follow Labour's plans and get on with it?
We are spending billions of pounds to help hundreds of thousands of families up and down the country to insulate their homes. We completely recognise that this is a vital part of our long-term energy policy.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly addressed as no explanation was provided for why Labour's plans are not followed.
Spending Billions On Insulation
Recognising The Importance
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns over future affordability of energy bills for constituents facing significant cost increases.
What reassurance can he give people out there whose bills are already unaffordable about what will happen in March?
The energy price support that we give to families will not end next April, and I will announce on Thursday what that support will be.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly addressed as no concrete reassurance was provided for March onwards beyond a vague commitment to announce later.
Announcing Details Later
Response accuracy