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Fuel Poverty: England
12 February 2025
Lead MP
Jon Trickett
Normanton and Hemsworth
Lab
Responding Minister
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Tags
EconomyTaxation
Word Count: 13106
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Jon Trickett raised concerns about fuel poverty: england in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Trickett calls for the Government to urgently reassess exemptions for the winter fuel allowance to ensure that people in medical need receive financial support. He also questions whether landlords will increase rents after being required to bring their properties up to thermal insulation standards.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The debate addresses the issue of fuel poverty affecting millions of people in England. Jon Trickett shares his personal experience growing up in a cold, unheated home and highlights stories from constituents facing similar struggles, including those with medical conditions like post-polio syndrome and asthma.
Andrew Cooper
Lab
Mid Cheshire
Over 3 million households struggle with fuel poverty, and insulation rates fell due to previous Government’s 'cut the green crap' decision. The current scheme needs to avoid past failures.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
The Liberal Democrat MP reports that nearly 11% of households in his constituency are classified as fuel-poor, facing difficult choices between heating their homes and affording basic necessities. He supports targeted support for energy-debt repayment and expanding the cold weather payment scheme.
Clive Efford
in the Chair
Ordered a brief conclusion period for the mover of the motion.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
22.9% of households in North Herefordshire live in fuel poverty, higher than the national average of 14.4%. Constituents face extreme conditions like living with only one radiator on or wrapped in blankets due to lack of heating. Asked for long-term certainty about the policy direction and level of investment to ensure that everybody can pull together in the same direction.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Stated that 17% of households in his constituency are living in fuel poverty, citing higher risks for health issues among older people and children.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Called attention to the deaths caused by fuel poverty under previous Tory governments, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue immediately.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Fuel poverty is exacerbated by loss of winter fuel payment for elderly people, affecting 24% of Northern Ireland households in 2021. Urges the Minister to discuss this issue with relevant authorities. Asked about discussions with relevant Ministers in other parts of the United Kingdom regarding strategies to address fuel poverty.
John McDonnell
Ind
Hayes and Harlington
Raises concerns about fuel poverty affecting workers on low wages and calls for an end to outsourcing by reviewing contracts.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Johnson highlights the issue of nearly 80% of Liverpool Riverside residents spending almost 10% of their disposable income on heating and calls for more targeted support to help local authorities assist those in need.
Liz Jarvis
LD
Eastleigh
The Liberal Democrats are concerned about Government delays in tackling poorly insulated homes, leaving thousands of Eastleigh residents cold and in fuel poverty. The MP highlights that nearly 3,000 families live in fuel poverty, with some resorting to using only a microwave for cooking due to high energy costs.
Gillingham and Rainham
Defended the Government's decision on winter fuel payments and acknowledged the need to support struggling families. Mentioned a review of the fuel poverty strategy and consultations on improving energy efficiency standards in rented properties.
Poole
According to National Energy Action, one in ten households in Poole live in fuel poverty. The decision to means-test the winter fuel allowance was wrong and needs to be reversed; 800,000 older people are without a payment they previously received.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
The Conservative MP acknowledges the debate's importance and adds his perspective on addressing the issue of fuel poverty and energy efficiency in homes, though specific contributions are not detailed further. Challenged the Minister on the tough choices faced by the Chancellor, comparing spending increases under Labour and Conservative Governments.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Highlighted the need for a review of the fuel poverty strategy and criticized energy companies' profits, urging reconsideration of winter fuel payment cuts.
Robbie Moore
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
In Keighley, 17.6% of residents are in fuel poverty; the council requested a 15% increase in council tax, which was signed off at a 10% level by the Deputy Prime Minister. Asked about the removal of winter fuel allowance affecting 64,000 pensioners.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Dyke mentions a constituent with rheumatoid arthritis who is ineligible for the winter fuel allowance due to personal independence payment, urging the Government to urgently reassess exemptions for those in medical need.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
The SNP MP emphasises the UK Government's responsibility in controlling energy prices, criticising the decision to cut winter fuel payments. He supports targeted support for households in fuel poverty and advocates for a nationwide insulation programme.
Steve Yemm
Lab
Mansfield
The Labour MP highlights that one in six households in Mansfield are living in fuel poverty, more than twice as likely for families with children compared to pensioners. He supports the Government's review of the fuel poverty strategy and welcomes initiatives like the warm homes plan.
Government Response
Miatta Fahnbulleh
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Government Response
Acknowledges the challenges faced by families struggling with energy bills. Highlights that under the previous Government, fuel poverty stagnated in England, affecting about 13% or 3.17 million people in 2023. Emphasises the need to tackle the cost of living crisis and situate the debate within this context. Acknowledged the challenges inherited from previous Governments and committed to working with all devolved Administrations. Consulted on improving fuel poverty strategy and proposed measures to lift half a million people out of fuel poverty through upgraded homes in private rented sector. Discussed the warm homes plan to upgrade millions of homes with insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. Mentioned providing support through funding and ensuring long-term certainty for both consumers and the supply chain.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.