Household Energy Bills 2026-03-24

2026-03-24

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Peter Fortune Con
Bromley and Biggin Hill
Context
Families face significant concerns over rising energy costs due to the Iran conflict, prompting demands for government action.
What steps his Department is taking to help reduce household energy bills?
Families will be deeply concerned about the impacts they are facing as a result of the Iran conflict. This Government are determined to fight the people's corner. As a result of actions in the Budget, the energy bill price cap will fall from next week and is guaranteed till the end of June. We have already provided £50 million of immediate support for vulnerable customers who use heating oil and will act to prevent unfair practices like price gouging.
Assessment & feedback
Families Will Be Deeply Concerned About The Impacts They Are Facing As A Result Of The Iran Conflict.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Sonia Kumar Lab
Dudley
Context
One in five households in Dudley are experiencing fuel poverty, and the removal of social and environmental levies from electricity bills helps shield some constituents from war impacts.
Given that around one in five households in Dudley are in fuel poverty and that electricity levies fall disproportionately on low-income families, I welcome the Chancellor's decision to remove some social and environmental levies from electricity bills. That has helped to shield some of my constituents from the impact of the war in the middle east. Does my right hon. Friend agree that rebalancing these levies can both support households and accelerate cleaner heating?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about that. It is an important reassurance for understandably worried families that, from 1 April, the energy price cap will fall by £117 thanks to this Government's actions. That happened not automatically, but because the Chancellor made decisions in the Budget to raise taxes on the wealthiest, which was opposed by the Conservative party.
Assessment & feedback
That Happened Not Automatically, But Because The Chancellor Made Decisions In The Budget To Raise Taxes On The Wealthiest.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Liz Jarvis Lib Dem
Eastleigh
Context
Before Trump's illegal war, Putin's illegal war affected energy bills; Citizens Advice Eastleigh reports that over 2,000 households are in fuel poverty.
Before Trump's illegal war, we had Putin's illegal war. Both have meant soaring energy bills for families and businesses in my constituency. Citizens Advice Eastleigh tells me that more than 2,000 households are in fuel poverty. Does the Secretary of State agree that, so long as the price of wholesale electricity is directly linked to volatile gas, we will be at mercy of despots and dictators, and that decoupling is essential if people in my constituency and across the UK are to have energy security?
The hon. Member is right about this country's exposure to fossil fuels, and that is the legacy of the previous Government. I am incredibly proud to say that, as a result of our two record-breaking renewables auctions, we will power the equivalent of 23 million homes.
Assessment & feedback
That Is The Legacy Of The Previous Government.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
James Wild Con
North West Norfolk
Context
Twenty thousand households across North West Norfolk and 140,000 across the county are off the gas grid, paying much higher prices for heating oil.
Twenty thousand households across North West Norfolk and 140,000 across the county are off the gas grid and paying much higher prices for heating oil. Ministers are creating an expectation that support will be there for those who need it. What action will the Government take if Norfolk county council is unable to meet the demand and provide support through the crisis and resilience fund to those who are struggling?
The hon. Gentleman asks an important question. The reason why we decided to put the money into the crisis and resilience fund three weeks after this crisis began was to get the money out the door quickly. During the previous crisis, that took 200 days.
Assessment & feedback
The Reason Why We Decided To Put The Money Into The Crisis And Resilience Fund Three Weeks After This Crisis Began Was To Get The Money Out The Door Quickly.
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Charlie Dewhirst Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Context
The latest wind auction has signed up to sky-high prices for the next two decades, yet Ministers claim this will bring down bills.
The latest wind auction has signed us up to sky-high prices for the next 20 years, but Ministers are claiming that their internal analysis proves that this will bring down bills. Will the Secretary of State publish those calculations in full so that we can see exactly how prices will be lowered?
We published the levelised cost analysis, which showed that new renewables were much cheaper to build and operate. As gas prices are soaring across the world and hitting us here at home, the idea that the Conservative party still opposes our renewables auction, which gives us clean home-grown power on which we can rely, is absolutely nonsensical.
Assessment & feedback
The Idea That The Conservative Party Still Opposes Our Renewables Auction, Which Gives Us Clean Home-Grown Power
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Wendy Morton Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Context
The Prime Minister promised a £300 saving on bills, yet since the election, bills have already increased by £73 and are forecast to increase more.
The Prime Minister stood on the steps of Downing Street and promised families that energy bills would fall by £300, yet, since the general election, bills have already gone up by £73 and are forecast to go up more. It is hardly surprising that my constituents do not believe a word that they hear from the Government. Will the Minister explain to me when families in my constituency will actually see that £300 saving delivered?
Families in the right hon. Lady's constituency will see savings on their bills from next week thanks to the actions of this Government. She is wrong on her facts, because, if we look across 2025, we will see that bills were lower in real terms than in 2024.
Assessment & feedback
She Is Wrong On Her Facts, Because, If We Look Across 2025, We Will See That Bills Were Lower In Real Terms Than In 2024.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Peter Fortune Con
Bromley and Biggin Hill
Context
The Secretary of State promised that Great British Energy would lead to a “mind-blowing” reduction in bills.
The Secretary of State promised that Great British Energy would lead to a “mind-blowing” reduction in bills. Can he confirm how much the average family has saved as a result specifically of Great British Energy?
Public services across the country, including schools and hospitals—I hope this will come to the hon. Member's constituency—are seeing reductions in their bills, and money is being transferred to the frontline. We on the Government Benches support those proposals. We support lower bills.
Assessment & feedback
Public Services Across The Country, Including Schools And Hospitals—I Hope This Will Come To The Hon. Member'S Constituency—Are Seeing Reductions In Their Bills.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Bill Esterson Lab
Sefton Central
Context
There are people arguing that agreements with oil and gas companies to charge less for gas in the North sea can bring down bills.
There are people who are saying that the way to bring down bills is to reach agreement with the oil and gas companies to charge less for gas in the North sea. Is not the problem with that argument that there is absolutely no way that those privately owned companies will agree—or that their shareholders will allow them to agree, to be more accurate—to a lower price than they can get elsewhere in the world?
My hon. Friend makes the really important, and relatively basic, point that gas is priced and sold on the international market. Whether it comes from the North sea or is imported, it is charged at the same price.
Assessment & feedback
My Hon. Friend Makes The Really Important, And Relatively Basic, Point That Gas Is Priced And Sold On The International Market.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Polly Billington Lab
East Thanet
Context
The question stems from the energy crisis, focusing on supporting vulnerable communities affected by volatile fossil fuel prices.
My right hon. Friend will be aware that this energy crisis offers the opportunity to shift further and faster on clean energy. Will he consider an energy social tariff linked to the warm homes plan to support those who are most exposed to the volatility of fossil fuel prices, not just those on benefits, but other vulnerable communities like the disabled?
My hon. Friend raises a really important point, and no doubt the Chancellor will cover this in her statement shortly. It is incredibly important that we protect the most vulnerable, particularly at this time. I am proud of the action we have taken to nearly double the number of people getting the warm home discount to 6 million people. This very important action will take another £150 off people's bills, so in a sense, we have a form of a social tariff, but I assure my hon. Friend that we will keep looking at how we can expand that and help more families.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not explicitly commit to considering an energy social tariff linked to the warm homes plan as requested.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Catherine McKinnell Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Context
The question highlights Newcastle's warm homes local grant scheme run by Warmworks in conjunction with Newcastle city council as an impactful initiative.
I am pleased to chair the newly formed all-party parliamentary group for warm homes. Newcastle is leading the way with its hugely impactful warm homes local grant scheme run by Warmworks in conjunction with Newcastle city council. Does the Secretary of State agree that we need to see more of these locally led grant schemes, which are helping people to insulate their homes so that they can protect themselves from any incoming global insecurity that might affect their ability to heat their homes?
First, let me congratulate my hon. Friend's council on its great work. The Government are putting hundreds of millions more this coming year into warm homes as part of our record-breaking investment. I hope we can agree across the House that investing in home upgrades is a way to not just have more energy efficiency but cut people's bills. We are committed to going as far and as fast as we can.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not explicitly commit to supporting or expanding locally led grant schemes.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Mike Reader Lab
Northampton South
Context
The question criticizes the government for focusing on oil and gas licensing instead of addressing energy bills.
Does the Secretary of State share my concern, or dismay, perhaps, that at a time when families are concerned about the cost of energy and the price at the pumps, the Conservatives have become obsessed with oil and gas licensing and not taking any action at all to reduce bills?
My hon. Friend makes a really important point. The Conservatives come here month after month making the same argument about something that will not reduce bills by a single penny. It was they who said that during the last crisis and when they were in government. This Labour Government are about reducing people's energy bills, which is the priority of the British people.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address whether he shares the concern about oil and gas licensing.
Criticizing Opposition
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Claire Coutinho Con
East Surrey
Context
The question criticizes the government for increasing energy costs and suggests a plan to cut electricity bills by 20%.
This Government are taxing people up the wazoo and piling cost after cost on to their energy bills. People on £30,000 or £40,000 a year, who are not well off, are being hammered to pay for welfare when they are already working all hours to support their own families. Now we hear that the Government are about to go back to the taxpayer again to subsidise those on welfare, but their first port of call should be to adopt our cheap power plan. It would cut electricity bills by 20% for everybody by cutting green taxes and levies, and it would not cost the taxpayer a penny. Why will they not do that?
The Conservatives' plan is totally incredible, and the shadow Secretary of State knows it. Their plan on renewables is just to tear up the contracts. They had 14 years to do it, and they did not do it. Why? Because they know that they cannot. I have to say, it is quite extraordinary that her position is now to abolish the windfall tax, which has raised £12 billion since it was introduced in 2022. The difference between us and them is that we are willing to tax the oil and gas companies to help ordinary families.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address why they won't adopt the cheap power plan.
Criticizing Opposition
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Gideon Amos Lib Dem
Taunton and Wellington
Context
The question addresses the conflict in the middle east adding up to £300 to bills, and suggests transferring renewables onto contracts for difference.
Despite solar and wind being freely available, only 15% of renewables are subject to contracts for difference, which effectively control prices. Given that the conflict in the middle east is set to add up to £300 to bills, is it not time that the Government addressed this Trump tax by transferring all renewables on to contracts for difference, as part of the Liberal Democrat's plan to halve energy bills?
We are driving forward with contracts for difference, and we are looking at that proposal. On the hon. Gentleman's more general point, though, he is absolutely right that rolling out renewables at speed—solar, wind, all types of renewables—is the best way to insulate ourselves from global economic shocks. That is a point that we have consistently made, which sadly is being borne out by the events we see around the world.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not explicitly commit to transferring all renewables onto contracts for difference as requested.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Gideon Amos Lib Dem
Taunton and Wellington
Context
The question highlights the cancellation of the zero carbon homes programme by the Conservatives and asks for an extension of solar panel requirements to car parks and commercial buildings.
As a former member of the zero carbon homes task force, I well remember the Conservatives cancelling the zero carbon homes programme—presumably they want homes to be colder, more difficult to heat and more expensive. The Liberal Democrats welcome the enactment today of the requirement for solar panels on all new homes, as proposed by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Max Wilkinson). My constituents Jan and Jeanette of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Somerset have pointed out that were that extended to car parks and commercial buildings, that would generate as much electricity as 15 Hinkley Point power stations. Will the Secretary of State extend the solar panels requirement to car parks and commercial buildings?
First, I accept the hon. Member's congratulations on our announcement of the future homes standards today, which are a really important measure—they should never have been abolished by the last Conservative Government. On warehouses and car parks—particularly on the warehouse question—we are looking at how we can roll that out more swiftly. There is so much unused space that could be used to help cut bills right across the country.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not explicitly commit to extending solar panels requirements to car parks and commercial buildings as requested.
Response accuracy