Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 8 February 2023 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government provided a 600 payment to many households in Northern Ireland for energy bills.
  • Unit costs of electricity and gas have been reduced this winter due to the energy price guarantee.
  • Concerns have been raised about inflated prices for wood pellets in the biomass market in Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Economy Northern Ireland Energy
Context

The question arises from the increased costs faced by households in Northern Ireland due to inflation, impacting their ability to afford essential services like energy.

Question

What assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the effect of increases in the cost of living on people in Northern Ireland? Many households have received a £600 payment for energy bills and the unit costs of electricity and gas have reduced this winter due to the energy price guarantee. However, there is no Northern Ireland Executive to handle these responsibilities.

Answer from Steven Baker

Many households have already received a £600 payment for energy bills, with the unit costs of electricity and gas reduced this winter due to the energy price guarantee. This support was provided by the UK Government as there is no Northern Ireland Executive to handle these responsibilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner wanted an assessment of the effect of cost-of-living increases on people in Northern Ireland, but the answer only mentioned existing support measures without a detailed assessment from Cabinet colleagues.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Energy
Context

There are concerns about off-grid heating oil users in Northern Ireland paying inflated prices for wood pellets, with no increase in the price of trees.

Question

Many people in Northern Ireland and my constituency use off-grid heating oil. They paid high prices before getting support from the UK Government. Now there is concern over price gouging in the biomass market, where people are paying inflated prices for wood pellets despite stable tree prices.

Answer from Steven Baker

I am not aware of evidence of price gouging in the biomass market. If he would please write to me, I will be grateful for the opportunity to look into it.

Not addressed: The questioner asked if the Minister is concerned about price gouging in the biomass market but was told that there is no evidence of this phenomenon and advised to write a letter instead.

How: Write To Me

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