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Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 November 2017 (named day). It was answered by Margot James (Conservative) on Monday, 13 November 2017 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Energy: Prices

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has for additional support to assist vulnerable people with their energy bills in winter 2017-18; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Four and half million households on pre-payment meters are already protected by a price cap that came into effect in April. Ofgem is consulting on extending this to a further one million vulnerable households this winter.

The Government also provides £140 a year for over 2 million low income households through the Warm Home Discount, between £100-£300 a year for pensioners through Winter Fuel Payments, and £25 a week for low income and vulnerable households during a cold snap through Cold Weather Payments.

In April 2017 the Government reformed the Energy Company Obligation so that it has a greater focus on low income and vulnerable households. The current scheme, which is worth £640m per year and runs to October 2018 is expected to deliver over 300,000 measures, helping to make homes warmer now and for years to come.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
111459
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Energy Fuel poverty Government assistance Prices
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk