Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

District Heating Network Consumers

Tuesday 21 May 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The evaluation of energy support schemes for district heating network consumers will conclude in summer 2025.
  • Supported heat network customers received an average of 1,200 via the energy discount scheme, which ended last month.
  • The Government is introducing regulations with Ofgem powers to investigate and intervene in unfair pricing for heat network consumers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tommy Sheppard SNP
Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about constituents facing financial hardship due to lack of price protection for their energy bills.

Question

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of financial support for district heating network consumers. The evaluation of our energy support schemes will conclude in summer 2025. To ensure their bills were fair, supported heat network customers received an average of £1,200 via the energy discount scheme, which closed last month.

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The evaluation of our energy support schemes will conclude in summer 2025. To ensure their bills were fair, supported heat network customers received an average of £1,200 via the energy discount scheme, which closed last month.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment and timeline for reviewing support schemes are provided but no specific commitment or action regarding future protections is given.

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Q2 Tommy Sheppard SNP
Energy
Context

The MP's constituents in the Greendykes area are facing significant increases in energy bills and no protection under current schemes.

Question

Why did the Government wait until the business scheme finished before considering alternative protection for these domestic customers? Why take a year to get them protected and what compensation are the Government going to offer in the meantime?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I hear the passion with which the hon. Gentleman stands up for his constituents, and rightly so, given the circumstances that they find themselves in. We are introducing regulations with Ofgem powers to investigate and intervene where prices for consumers appear to be unfair, and to ensure that all heat network consumers receive a high-quality service from their providers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the issue but does not provide specific details on why it took so long or what compensation will be offered.

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Q3 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Energy
Context

The MP supports district heating networks but agrees that regulation needs to be improved to protect consumers.

Question

Can I reassert what he has just said and ask the Minister to carefully come forward with protections to ensure that consumers on shared heating networks are not at a disadvantage compared with people who pay their bills directly?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I am pleased to give that assurance to my hon. Friend. As I have said, we are talking to Ofgem right now about introducing regulations to make this much fairer and simpler and to ensure that consumers on heat networks get the service that they deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister provides an assurance but does not give specific commitments or timelines for protective measures.

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