Oral Answers to Questions

Ben Lake Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)]

2. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support households in Wales with the cost of living.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (David T. C. Davies)]

We are delivering unprecedented support to protect households across Wales from the cost of living. We understand that people across the UK are worried about the cost of living, and this winter we will stick with the plan to spend £55 billion to help households and businesses with their energy bills—one of the largest support plans in the whole of Europe.

[Ben Lake]

I welcome the right hon. Member to his role as Secretary of State for Wales. As he will be aware, off-grid households and businesses have experienced quite rapid increases in the price of their heating. That is a big concern in areas such as Ceredigion, where 74% of properties are not connected to the mains gas grid. Quite simply, when does he expect those households and businesses to receive support for their off-grid heating costs?

[David T. C. Davies]

The hon. Gentleman is quite right to raise the issue of off-grid domestic premises. The Government have heard the issue being raised by Members, including him, and we have increased the support available from £100 to £200. I would be happy to come back to him with details of exactly when that payment will be made. It was because of calls from people such as him that that increase was made.