Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fuel Poverty

Tuesday 16 January 2024 · 5 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

  • Fuel poverty statistics for England will be published on 15 February and include estimates for 2023 and 2024.
  • The Government is committed to helping vulnerable people and has halved energy bills.
  • The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill is pursued to support energy security and the needs of vulnerable people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Housing Energy
Context

The MP is seeking detailed estimates of the number of households in fuel poverty during winter 2023-24.

Question

What estimate she has made of the number of households in fuel poverty in winter 2023-24. The statistics for England will be published on 15 February and include estimates of the number of households in fuel poverty in 2023 and 2024.

Answer from Amanda Solloway

Fuel poverty is devolved. Statistics for England are published annually by the Department. The next English statistics will be published on 15 February and will include estimates of the number of households in fuel poverty in 2023 and 2024.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provided context but did not give a specific estimate for winter 2023-24, only indicating future publication on February 15th.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Economy Climate Energy
Context

The MP cites a significant proportion of constituents in fuel poverty, specifically Maureen's case with an additional monthly cost of £975 due to the disability price tag. She questions the Government's decision to subsidize oil and gas through windfall tax loopholes.

Question

Why does the Government still insist on giving subsidies worth billions to the oil and gas industry through loopholes in the windfall tax, when economic forecasters warn that delays in decarbonising will leave consumers with higher prices?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

We are committed to helping vulnerable people and have halved energy bills. The Minister has constant meetings with stakeholders including Citizens Advice and disability groups, ensuring support in the cost of living crisis.

Not addressed: The response did not address why subsidies are given to oil and gas or discuss economic forecasters' warnings about delays in decarbonising.

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Q3 Beth Winter
Economy Climate Energy
Context

The MP mentions increasing numbers of constituents with significant energy debt and cites warnings from economic forecasters about the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill delaying decarbonisation efforts.

Question

Why are the Government pursuing the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, which will not bring down bills according to the Minister herself, when economic forecasters warn that delays in decarbonising will lead to higher consumer prices?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

We are committed not only to helping vulnerable people but also to providing energy security. All introduced policies support these goals.

Not addressed: The response did not provide a specific explanation for pursuing the bill or address economic forecasters' warnings.

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Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Social Care Wales
Context

The MP seeks details on discussions between the Minister and Welsh Government regarding the social tariff, previously described as 'very helpful' by a previous Secretary of State.

Question

Can the Minister set out what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government about the social tariff?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

I have been having conversations with all stakeholders, including Citizens Advice and Disability Rights UK, as well as across Government and different devolved Departments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not specifically address discussions with the Welsh Government on the social tariff.

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Q5 Derek Thomas Con
Energy
Context

The MP highlights energy security and reducing fuel poverty as interlinked issues, questioning the Government's approach to securing supply and cutting waste.

Question

Can she set out what the Government and her Department are doing to reduce energy waste from people's homes?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

The Minister acknowledges hard work for constituents. Efforts focus on making sure we get energy efficiency not only in production but also in the way energy is used.

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific actions or commitments to reduce home energy waste.

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