Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Consumer Energy Debt

Tuesday 16 January 2024 · 4 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

  • Ministers regularly meet Ofgem to discuss consumer energy debt and vulnerable customer protection.
  • The UK Government provides 104 billion in cost of living support between 2022 and 2025.
  • The energy price cap has fallen by half since reaching its peak last year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas Chapman SNP
Energy
Context

The question arises from increasing consumer energy debts and recent discussions with Ofgem on trends in such debts.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with Ofgem on trends in the level of consumer energy debt. I am concerned about the rising number of households unable to pay their bills, which is why we need to address this issue promptly.

Answer from Graham Stuart

Ministers regularly meet Ofgem to discuss issues, including a November meeting where the Secretary of State met suppliers alongside Ofgem to discuss consumer energy debt and vulnerable customer protection. The Government is providing £104 billion in cost of living support between 2022 and 2025.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about discussions with Ofgem, but the answer focused more on overall government support without directly addressing recent meetings or actions taken based on those discussions.

How: Providing General Support Information

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Q2 Martin Docherty SNP
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question comes from concerns raised by the Office for National Statistics about a nearly 40% increase in households unable to pay their bills.

Question

I am grateful for that answer. The number of households who have been unable to pay their energy bills has increased by nearly 40%. Does the Minister accept that the UK Government's failure to listen to stakeholders such as Citizens Advice, which is calling for the £400 energy bill discount to be reinstated, has led to soaring energy debt among those who can least afford it?

Answer from Graham Stuart

The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the issue of debt and struggling families, which is why we provide £104 billion in cost of living support between 2022 and 2025, along with measures such as increasing the national living wage and benefits by 6.7%. We are also delivering a tax cut for 27 million people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about acceptance of government's failure to act on stakeholder recommendations, but the answer focused on overall support measures without directly addressing this point.

How: Providing General Support Information

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Q3 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland Energy
Context

The question arises from concerns about the impact of UK-wide energy policies on Scottish consumers, who pay a premium for their energy bills.

Question

In my country, energy debt is rising, as Scottish consumers pay a premium on their energy bill. In light of that imbalance, has the Minister discussed abolishing Ofgem? If not, should his Government give full responsibility for energy pricing in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We have acted decisively to support families, with the price cap falling by half since its peak last year. We are targeting our support at vulnerable customers and working on plans to increase Britain's power independence from foreign fossil fuels.

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about discussing Ofgem reform and energy pricing responsibility in Scotland, but the answer focused on price cap reductions and future energy independence without addressing these points directly.

How: Shifting To Broader Government Initiatives

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Q4 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Scotland Energy
Context

The question arises from concerns about the worsening situation for bill payers this winter compared to last year, including reports of increased hospitalisations and burns.

Question

The situation for bill payers is even worse than last winter. The SNP has called for reinstatement of the £400 energy support scheme. However, the Government have refused sufficient support despite health risks. How will the Tories extend just a fraction of their interest in exploiting Scotland's natural resources to supporting householders freezing this winter?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We have acted decisively with among the most generous support of any nation in Europe, proud of our efforts and pleased to see a significant reduction in the energy price cap.

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about extending interest in natural resources to supporting householders, but the answer focused on overall government support measures without addressing this point directly.

How: Shifting To Broader Government Initiatives

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