Oral Answers to Questions

Anne McLaughlin Excerpts

Tuesday 28th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

My hon. Friend is a stout champion not only of the pathway to net zero but of the jobs and prosperity that come with it. It is with great alacrity that I accept on behalf of my hon. Friend the Minister.

[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.