Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Social Tariffs

Tuesday 8 October 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated concern over energy affordability for vulnerable households this winter.
  • Government met with energy suppliers to ensure additional support for struggling families.
  • Minister expressed willingness to meet with MPs to discuss further support options.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Energy
Context

No background context provided in the record.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential merits of introducing energy social tariffs?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We know that people are worried about their energy bills going into the winter and that, for a growing number of people, energy is simply unaffordable. We are absolutely determined to take this affordability issue and tackle it head on. There are many different ideas about what a social tariff could look like, and it means different things to different people. We are clear that we will tackle the affordability question and look at the full range of options available to us.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an assessment on social tariffs was not directly addressed with concrete details or figures.

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Q2 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
NHS Energy
Context

The MP raises concerns about the limitations of the current warm home discount scheme, especially for those with high energy needs but low incomes.

Question

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her response. I absolutely recognise that energy prices over the last few years have escalated, putting particular pressure on households with low incomes and also those with high energy needs, such as disabled people and pensioners. I agree that the warm home discount scheme is valuable, but it is limited and I am concerned for people with high energy needs but on low incomes, who might fall foul of the system as it stands.

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We have been working flat out with energy suppliers to ensure that they are providing additional support to families who will struggle with bills this winter. In August, I met all the suppliers, and there was a shared commitment to do everything we can to support vulnerable households.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for addressing limitations of the warm home discount scheme was not directly addressed with concrete details or figures.

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Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP questions the timing of withdrawing the winter fuel allowance and suggests alternative measures could have been implemented earlier.

Question

Would it not have been better to put that proper package of support in place before the Government withdrew the winter fuel allowance from so many pensioners?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We are having to clean up the mess that the Opposition left us. Yes, we have means-tested the winter fuel payment, but we have also been clear that we will do everything we can do to support vulnerable households. That is why we have extended the take-up of pension credit and the household support fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about withdrawing the winter fuel allowance was not directly addressed with concrete details or figures.

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Q4 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS
Context

The MP suggests warm home prescriptions could benefit elderly people and those with underlying health conditions, reducing NHS burdens.

Question

I thank the Minister for her work. Warm home prescriptions can target that support towards elderly people and those with underlying health conditions, saving our NHS as well as keeping people warm over the winter. The pilot has shown real benefit. Will she meet me to discuss that and other options to keep old people warm this winter?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We want to work with anyone who will help us reach vulnerable households. I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to look at the full range of options available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a meeting was not directly confirmed with concrete details or figures.

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Q5 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Scotland Energy Local Government
Context

The MP questions the high standing charges in Scotland and asks for action to lower them.

Question

Ofgem's review of standing charges options paper closed for submissions on 20 September. Can the Minister offer any hope for bill payers in Scotland that they will stop being penalised with the highest standing charges on these islands? When will we see lower charges?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We as a Government are committed to getting down standing charges. Ofgem has consulted and will report back in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an action timeline was not directly addressed with concrete details or figures.

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