Oral Answers to Questions

Angela Crawley Excerpts

Tuesday 7th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP)]

2. What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of raising the energy price cap on standards of living.

[Angela Crawley (Lanark and Hamilton East) (SNP)]

21. What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of raising the energy price cap on standards of living.

--- Later in debate ---

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

The hon. Lady will remember that throughout the covid period my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer supported businesses to the tune of something like £400 billion. A lot of that support, in the form of loans and the future fund, is ongoing. I do not think we can take any lectures from the hon. Lady on supporting business through what has been a very difficult period.

[Angela Crawley]

This week, the citizens advice bureaux in Scotland revealed that 62% of the inquiries they receive relate to energy issues. As Ofgem has warned that people can expect a staggering 42% rise in energy prices, does the Secretary of State regret the time he has spent defending the Prime Minister against confidence votes instead of providing much-needed support for businesses and energy consumers to tackle the cost of living crisis?

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

As I have said once and am sure I will repeat, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has dedicated £37 billion precisely to help people through what is a very difficult time in relation to the cost of living.