Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a temporary help to repay scheme that provides repayment matching and debt relief for energy arrears that cannot be afforded by consumers.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government understands the challenges that are posed by cost of living pressures that includes energy bills and the impact of debt. However, energy prices have fallen significantly with the price cap more than halving from £4,279 at the start of this year to £1,834 since the start of October.
This coincides with the £900 cost of living payment being provided by the Government across 2023/24, which has increased from the £650 provided the previous year. The Government continues to closely monitor energy prices and will keep support schemes under review.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department plans to provide increased levels of financial support to consumers who have accumulated energy debt.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures, including the impact of energy bills and debt, and is already providing extensive financial support to households. The Government has spent nearly £40 billion protecting households and businesses from spiralling energy bills over last winter, covering around half a typical household’s energy bill, and this comes in addition to the £900 cost of living payments being delivered across 2023/24. This payment has already increased from the £650 payments provided the previous year.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many appeals have been referred to his Department on Green Deal mis-selling by Home Energy and Lifestyle Management.
Answered by Graham Stuart
A total of 348 Homes Energy and Lifestyle Management (HELMS) cases have been referred to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (or predecessors at the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) for review. 189 of these cases are live; 159 have been completed.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many appeals have been made to the First Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) Environment on Green Deal mis-selling by Home Energy and Lifestyle Management offered by his Department and its predecessors.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department is aware of 20 such appeals that have been made to the General Regulatory Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure the end of premiums for prepayment meter energy customers.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
From July, the Energy Price Guarantee will be adjusted so that the typical customer on a PPM is paying the same amount as an equivalent customer on direct debit until 31 March 2024. The Government has asked Ofgem to report by autumn on options to bring charges for PPM customers into line with direct debit customers, including standing charges, so that they are ready for implementation when the EPG ends.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to end the use of premiums for prepayment meter energy customers after the conclusion of the Energy Price Guarantee.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has asked Ofgem to report by autumn on options to bring charges for PPM customers into line with direct debit customers, including standing charges, so that they are ready for implementation when the Energy Price Guarantee ends.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a permanent ban of (a) forced prepayment meter installations and (b) the remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode for households where there is a disabled person present.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
A permanent ban on the use of involuntary prepayment meter installation would likely see a move to using debt enforcement via the courts and bailiffs, which is not a desirable outcome.
The Code of Practice that Ofgem have agreed with industry and consumer groups sets out clear procedures that suppliers must follow, strengthening protections for customers in vulnerable situations, including banning involuntary switching for customers in high-risk categories.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with (a) energy suppliers and (b) Ofgem on ending the premiums for prepayment meter energy customers.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Ministers and officials meet regularly with both Ofgem and suppliers to discuss a range of issues, including prepayment meters (PPMs).
From July, the Energy Price Guarantee will be adjusted so that the typical customer on a PPM is paying the same amount as an equivalent customer on direct debit until 31 March 2024. The Government has asked Ofgem to report by autumn on options to bring charges for PPM customers into line with direct debit customers, including standing charges, so that they are ready for implementation when the EPG ends.
Asked by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to respond to the letter of 10 February 2023 from the hon. Member for Glasgow North East on a meeting with the APPG on Prepayment Meters.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State confirms receipt of your correspondence of 10 February regarding prepayment meters and your request for a meeting with the newly-formed AAPG. He will respond shortly.