Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Amanda Solloway and Anne McLaughlin

Tuesday 28th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP)]

4. What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of fuel poverty since 2018.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Amanda Solloway)]

The share of households in fuel poverty in England reduced every year between 2010 and 2021, with energy efficiency being the key driver. Although fuel poverty is devolved, we continue to engage with the devolved Administrations, including on specific schemes such as the energy company obligation and the warm home discount.

[Anne McLaughlin]

Across the world and in the United Kingdom, human rights are being eroded and fuel poverty is on the rise. This Government could address both by declaring access to energy a human right. It would mean that people could not be cut off willy-nilly simply because they could not afford to pay for their energy at that time. Does the Minister agree that energy should be a human right? If not, will she tell me which human beings she believes should not have the right to heat their homes?

[Amanda Solloway]

As the hon. Lady indicated, the Government take fuel poverty incredibly seriously. Everybody has the right to heat. We have been helping people with their energy bills, including a £900 cost of living allowance, as well as all the great things that we announced in the autumn statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Amanda Solloway and Anne McLaughlin

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Amanda Solloway]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that invite, and I would be delighted to go if some of the product was on offer. We are constantly looking at the help we can give. We are giving help across all industries. We are giving universal help through the discount, and we are helping energy and trade intensive industries as well. The classification exists to ensure that we do not have a bias.

[Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP)]

T9. For seven long years, my SNP colleagues and I have fought for justice for victims of green deal mis-selling. A successful recent test case is now being appealed, and the resolution to this could take many more years. In the meantime, some of my constituents have died—most recently, a lovely woman by the name of May Young. We do not have to keep putting people through this; there is a political resolution. Will the Minister meet me to discuss that?