Energy Bills: Support for Households

Dr Danny Chambers (Winchester) (LD) asked the Government what steps it is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support households with energy bills. In response, James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, highlighted the Government's plans to set up a clean energy mission board to accelerate the transition to clean, home-grown power, and to establish a new publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy, which will aim to save families money by insulating them from gas price shocks. He also mentioned a warm homes plan to improve energy efficiency in homes and cut bills. Dr Chambers followed up by expressing concern about the cuts to the winter fuel allowance, noting that many pensioners living on or near the poverty line will be plunged into crisis this winter. He asked the Chancellor to reconsider the decision and commit to a vote and debate in the House on how to best protect the most vulnerable. The shadow Minister, Gareth Davies (Grantham and Bourne) (Con), asked the Minister to confirm that the Labour party's commitment to bring down energy bills by £300 is still their policy, and to provide details on how this would be calculated and delivered. Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD), the Lib Dem spokesperson, acknowledged the financial challenges inherited by the Government, but argued that this cannot be used as cover for measures that cause suffering for the most vulnerable. She urged the Chancellor to give the House the opportunity to have a proper debate and vote on the scrapping of the winter fuel allowance, and asked if the Government would support measures to boost the uptake of pension credit. In response, James Murray reiterated the importance of increasing the uptake of pension credit, which would also ensure that eligible pensioners receive the winter fuel payment. He also highlighted the Government's plans for insulation and energy efficiency measures to bring down energy bills in the long term.