Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Prices

Wednesday 15 April 2026 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government plans to cut energy bills by an average of 117 per household in response to recent Middle East conflicts.
  • The Minister agrees that securing energy independence through clean power initiatives is crucial for reducing energy prices.
  • The Secretary of State for Scotland defends the current Government's approach to supporting the oil and gas sector, distinguishing it from previous administrations' lack of planning.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Scotland Energy
Context

The question arises from recent events in the Middle East, which have impacted global energy prices and increased costs for families in Scotland. The questioner is seeking specific steps being taken by the government to alleviate these pressures.

Question

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce energy prices for people in Scotland. Recent events in the Middle East have led to significant increases in energy costs, affecting households across North East Fife and beyond. I am concerned about how this impacts low-income families who rely on heating oil.

Answer from Douglas Alexander

The UK Government stand ready to provide support needed by families in response to recent events in the Middle East. The Prime Minister has set out our plan to deal with the immediate impact of the conflict on the cost of living, which includes cutting energy bills by an average of £117 per household, extending the fuel duty cut until September while closely monitoring prices at the pumps, providing £4.6 million for low-income families in Scotland who heat their homes with oil to tackle surging prices and, of course, continuing to push for de-escalation of the conflict itself.

Answered
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Q2 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Climate Energy

Question

I welcome what the Minister has said, but the challenge is that the Government have yet to correct the challenges from the ECO4 scheme, which in North East Fife has blighted houses with not only a lack of insulation but poor installation of inappropriate heat pumps and so on. Can the Secretary of State advise me when the Government will start inspecting these properties and consider a compensation scheme for constituents such as mine?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

I see that the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West (Martin McCluskey), is on the Front Bench with me. I will write to the hon. Lady on exactly that matter.

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Q3 Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith
Scotland Energy

Question

My constituents welcomed the fall in energy prices at the beginning of this month. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to reduce energy prices in Scotland is not to pursue more constitutional divides but to secure our energy independence by progressing the Government’s clean power mission as quickly as possible?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

My hon. Friend makes a powerful point. Global instability, including the recent events in Iran, has exposed the risks of relying on fossil fuel markets that the United Kingdom inevitably does not control. We are delivering on work to ensure our energy independence and thereby bring down bills for the British people for good. What we absolutely do not need right now is the added distraction of political point scoring at the expense of our national security in what is a dangerous and troubled world.

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Q4 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Economy Scotland Energy
Context

The question addresses the discrepancy between the Scottish Labour party's stance on supporting the oil and gas sector and the current government's policies.

Question

I am concerned that the Secretary of State for Scotland is running the election campaign for the leader of the Scottish Labour party, who said we need a balanced approach to support our oil and gas sector. This seems to contradict the Prime Minister's position. Who is right?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

The challenge for the North sea did not emerge in July 2024; it reflects the absence of a plan from the previous Government. The reality is that oil and gas will be central to our energy mix for many years to come, and this Government recognise and understand that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner's specific ask was not directly answered with who is right between Prime Minister or Scottish Labour party leader.

How: Difficulty With The Point, Economic Illiteracy

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Q5 Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Economy Energy
Context

Scots are facing high energy bills despite Scotland being an exporter of electricity, hydrocarbons, and renewables.

Question

Why are Scots struggling to pay among the highest bills in Europe when Scotland is an energy-rich exporter?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Economic illiteracy extends to the First Minister. Berwick Bank, the largest offshore wind farm in Europe, was funded by UK bill payers. The affordability of renewables is determined not just by Scottish taxpayers but also by contributions from UK bill payers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner's specific ask about high energy bills was not directly addressed with a concrete explanation.

How: Economic Illiteracy

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Q6 Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Scotland Energy
Context

Scotland has given £350 billion to the Treasury but received only £35 per household in heating oil support, compared to Ireland's €700 million package.

Question

Independent Ireland announced a significant heating oil support package. Scotland gave £350 billion to the Treasury and received £35 per household for heating oil support. Will the Labour Government turn towards taxpayers and act?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

There goes the SNP talking up Reform again. The hon. Gentleman should learn it is possible to be anti-nationalist without being anti-Scottish. When SNP Members next speak, they can explain where their promised publicly owned energy company went.

Not addressed: The questioner's specific ask about heating oil support was completely avoided.

How: Talking Up Reform, Anti-Nationalist

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