Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Energy Tariff

Tuesday 27 February 2024 · 3 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

  • Energy prices are now at their lowest level for two years, with a typical bill set to drop by 238 by April.
  • A social tariff means different things to different people, but the government is supporting vulnerable households with average energy bill payments last winter and additional payments of 900.
  • The government has plans for the largest expansion of nuclear energy in 70 years, which will positively impact energy bills and security.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Energy
Context

The question arises from the need to assess if there is a merit in creating a social energy tariff to assist vulnerable households.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made regarding the potential merits of introducing a social energy tariff?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Energy prices are now at their lowest level for two years, with a typical bill set to drop by £238 by April. Our cost of living package totals over £104 billion, or £3,700 per household on average, over 2022 to 2025. We are supporting those most in need, with millions of vulnerable households receiving up to £900 in cost of living payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment of the merits of introducing a social energy tariff was not addressed.

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Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
NHS Energy
Context

A briefing from the House of Commons Library estimated that treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp homes costs the NHS £1.4 billion annually, rising to £15.4 billion when considering wider societal costs.

Question

Given the significant cost implications for the NHS and society at large due to poor housing conditions, will you confirm whether a social energy tariff would cost less than £15.4 billion?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

A social tariff means lots of things to different people, but we are supporting vulnerable people with the cost of their energy bills. We supported them last winter, paying on average a half of everybody's energy bills, and we have made additional payments of £900 to support people. Since 2010, we have increased the proportion of homes that are energy-efficient and insulated to 50%, up from 14%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The cost comparison between a social energy tariff and societal costs was not provided.

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Q3 Virginia Crosbie
Energy
Context

There is a need to evaluate the potential benefits or drawbacks of providing discounts on energy bills for residents living near energy and nuclear facilities.

Question

What assessment has been made regarding the merits of offering discounts on energy tariffs to residents who live close to energy or nuclear power stations?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I thank my hon. Friend for her doughty campaigning for nuclear—she is our very own atomic kitten. We are very positive about nuclear and have set out plans for the largest expansion of nuclear for 70 years. Overall that will be a good thing for people's energy bills and the energy security of this country.

Not addressed: The merits or assessment regarding discounts for residents near energy plants were not addressed.

How: Campaigning, Atomic Kitten

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