Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Domestic Energy Costs: Differential Between Wales and Rest of UK

Wednesday 19 October 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Most recent data shows households in Wales pay variable unit costs and standing charges for gas and electricity broadly in line with the Great Britain average.
  • Nia Griffith raised a case involving Mr Evans, whose smart meter does not function due to lack of mobile phone signal, preventing him from accessing lower tariffs for off-peak electricity use.
  • The Secretary of State expressed interest in discussing the specific case raised by Nia Griffith with relevant ministerial colleagues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Wales Energy
Context

The question arises from concerns about whether Welsh households are paying more for their energy compared to other regions in Great Britain.

Question

What recent estimate has been made of the differential in domestic energy costs between Wales and the rest of the UK?

Answer from Robert Buckland

Most recent data demonstrates that households in Wales pay a price broadly on par with the average across Great Britain for variable unit costs and standing charges for gas and electricity. Our energy price guarantee will save households hundreds of pounds this winter compared with current wholesale cost projections.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific differential between Wales and the rest of the UK was not provided, only that it is broadly on par with GB averages.

How: Broadly On Par

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Q2 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Wales Energy
Context

A constituent, Mr Evans from Kidwelly, faces difficulties with accessing lower energy tariffs due to the lack of smart meter functionality caused by poor mobile phone signals.

Question

My constituent Mr Evans cannot benefit from a lower tariff for off-peak electricity use because his smart meter will not function due to non-existent mobile phone signal in the area. Will the Secretary of State now have urgent talks with ministerial colleagues to address this issue and end discrimination?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I will be interested to take up that case in more detail with the hon. Lady. However, the Government is acting radically on energy price intervention and with our Energy Prices Bill, which seeks to break the link between electricity and gas prices, are taking necessary actions to help households such as her constituent. Of course, I will be happy to talk further about the particular disadvantage that her constituent faces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment was made for urgent talks or specific action regarding Mr Evans's issue.

How: Interested, Happy To Talk Further

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