Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 4 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 6 June 2008. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 June 2008 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Fuel Poverty

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to paragraph 4.34 of Budget 2008, on helping vulnerable households heat their homes, whether the Government intend to bring forward proposals to introduce minimum standards for social tariffs.

Answer: The Government have secured individual voluntary agreements with the six largest energy suppliers to increase their collective spend on social programmes to at least £150 million a year by 2010-11. This voluntary approach provides for a wide range of help to vulnerable households, including social tariffs, energy efficiency measures and bill rebates.Ofgem is leading the process to determine the parameters for what can be included under this additional spend and is currently consulting on a draft framework, including qualifying criteria for social tariffs. The Government therefore have no plans at present to bring forward further proposals on social tariffs.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 477 c827-8W; 209569
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Budget 2008: Economic and fiscal strategy report and financial statement and budget report March 2008. Stability and opportunity: building a strong sustainable future.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
House of Commons papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Energy Standards Social tariffs
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk