House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Bills Alternative Funds

Tuesday 28 November 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

Government provides energy bills support through the energy bills support scheme alternative funding to over 150,000 households
Government provides support via the alternative fuel payment alternative fund to nearly 90,000 households
Ofgem is working on standing charges to help reduce energy costs for households

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

Energy

Context

The MP inquired about the recent assessment made by the government regarding two funds designed to assist households with high energy costs.

Question

What recent assessment has she made of the effectiveness of the energy bills support scheme alternative fund and the alternative fuel payment alternative fund?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

The Government provide energy bills support through the energy bills support scheme alternative funding to over 150,000 households, and via the alternative fuel payment alternative fund to nearly 90,000 households that could not automatically access this vital support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for an assessment of effectiveness but was answered with a statement about the number of households receiving support without addressing whether these funds are effective or not.

How: Changed Subject

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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

Energy Benefits & Welfare

Context

The MP highlighted the significant increase in energy costs since 2021, noting that £440 million earmarked for vulnerable households went unspent last year. She emphasized the higher standing charges faced by pensioners, carers, and disabled individuals in her constituency.

Question

Energy bills are up 50% since 2021, but there was no mention of this in the autumn statement and £440 million earmarked for the most vulnerable households went unspent last year, yet in my constituency of Edinburgh West, pensioners, carers and disabled people who often have to use more electricity for life-saving equipment are paying those bigger bills. All of them are also paying higher standing charges than elsewhere in the UK. If the Chancellor will not commit to reopening the energy bills support scheme or the alternative fuel payment scheme, will the Secretary of State do so?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

Of course, as a Government we are looking at the standing charges; it is imperative that we do that and Ofgem is working through that. We have also given an unprecedented amount of support to households and non-domestic organisations. I reiterate that there is support at the moment. We have the £900 for the cost of living. We also have the disability allowance and other allowances. To give assurance, I meet regularly with all stakeholders.