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Written question asked by Charlotte Nichols (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 April 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 April 2022. It was answered by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 April 2022 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 assessment he has made of the impact of a person's disability and health status on energy costs; and if his Department will take a person's disability and health status into account in the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount.

Answer

Some evidence suggests that households with a disability have higher heating costs than average. However, no household-level data is available that could be factored into specifically targeting those with the highest heating costs.

The Warm Home Discount reforms will better target automatic rebates to fuel poor households on the lowest incomes. Our analysis models an increase in the number of recipients who declare they have a long-term illness or disability by 160,000. The proportion of rebates received by households with a disability or long-term illness will remain higher than the proportion of the fuel poor population or overall population with a disability.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
156607
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Disability Health Energy Prices Warm home discount scheme
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk