Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Julie Hilling

Thursday 26th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab)]

The energy companies tell us that very few customers are disconnected, but we know that many customers are so-called self-disconnected because they cannot afford to put credit on their pre-payment meters, especially if they are already paying off previous arrears through the meter. Will the Minister as a matter of urgency ask the energy companies how many people are self-disconnected?

[Charles Hendry]

As I said earlier, it is important that we understand why people are disconnected. If there is not enough clarity about why people are self-disconnecting, we will ask for more details on why that is happening.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Julie Hilling

Thursday 20th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab)]

20. What plans he has to provide support for households in meeting the cost of energy bills.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry)]

I refer the hon. Lady to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) a few moments ago.

[Julie Hilling]

I thank the Minister for that answer, but I still do not understand what he is going to do to prevent people from dying this winter. Will he also urge the Government to reconsider the decision to cut the winter fuel allowance?

[Charles Hendry]

As the hon. Lady well knows, the winter fuel allowance was introduced by the last Government. Had it not been for the fact that—as one of her colleagues who was then a Minister pointed out—there was no money left, we might have been able to consider some of these matters further. However, we have implemented the policy of the last Labour Administration, and in the meantime we are trying to ensure that people check their bills for accuracy, insulate their homes, and look for better arrangements to which they might switch. That makes evident sense, because it can bring significant benefits, and it should not be dismissed, because it will help many of the hon. Lady’s constituents.