Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Evans Excerpts

Wednesday 24th May 2023 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

1. What estimate he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the number of households in fuel poverty in Wales.

[Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)]

14. What estimate he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the number of households in fuel poverty in Wales.

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

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. As a result of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, households in Wales have seen their energy bills increase, which is why the Government have provided support totalling £94 billion, or £3,300 per household, to help with higher bills.

[Chris Evans]

A constituent of mine who is a mother and a carer for her disabled son wrote to me recently. She told me that she is watching every penny and is deeply worried about how she will afford energy in the coming winter. She is one of the nine in 10 families with a disabled child who the Family Fund says are struggling to afford simple household bills. What direct advice does the Secretary of State have for my constituent and thousands like her who are in a hopeless situation?

[David T. C. Davies]

There are indeed many people suffering at the moment, and I feel very sorry for the hon. Gentleman’s constituent. The Government have supported households with the rising cost of living by maintaining the energy price guarantee at £2,500 from April to June 2023, saving households an additional £160. Over the winter, the Government were paying on average about half of people’s energy bills. For those living in households where someone has a disability, there has been an extra payment of £150.