Energy Prices: Electricity Bills

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Wednesday 13th October 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I outlined earlier the support mechanism that we already have in place: the warm home discount, the winter fuel payment, cold weather payments and an additional £500 million household support fund, which has been available to councils to help the most in need over the winter.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

The Scottish Parliament, through the Green Party Minister Patrick Harvie—

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

Oh no.

[Noble Lords]

Oh!

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

It has committed £1.8 billion to home energy efficiency measures. Given that this Government want to be world leading and they have a bit of a gap to fill, will they commit a proportionate amount—bearing in mind that there are 10 times more homes in England—of £18 billion?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I have not had a chance to meet the noble Baroness’s colleague yet. I was supposed to meet him a couple of weeks ago, but the meeting was cancelled. I look forward to discussing these important matters with him. As the noble Baroness will be aware, we are already spending considerable sums on home insulation and heating upgrade measures—some £1.3 billion over the last year. Of course, I cannot predict what might happen in the Chancellor’s spending review, but we are already investing considerably in home insulation measures.