Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Hannah Bardell

Wednesday 7th September 2022 Commons Chamber

[Hannah Bardell]

Sometimes the truth hurts, but I am happy to withdraw it.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

May I warmly congratulate my right hon. Friend and welcome her to her place, but may I also wish her the very best with the heavy responsibilities that she now bears? Around 1.5 million households across the countryside rely on heating oil in order to keep their homes warm and cook their meals. They have faced price rises of around 130% in recent months and they are not part of the energy price cap. As rumours abound about what tomorrow’s statement may hold, will she confirm that those 1.5 million households—many of them in rural areas such as my constituency—will be specifically included in any mooted ideas about an energy price freeze?