Oral Answers to Questions

David Duguid Excerpts

Tuesday 20th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

13. What recent assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential effects of energy prices on the cost of living.

[David Duguid (Banff and Buchan) (Con)]

22. What fiscal steps he is taking to support households with their energy bills.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Gareth Davies)]

Advanced economies around the world share the challenge of high inflation from the energy shock, and the UK has been affected by those global factors. The Government have taken significant action to help households with rising energy prices and the cost of living by providing a significant support package totalling £94 billion. That includes supporting households with energy bills by extending the energy price guarantee and removing the premium paid by 4 million households using prepayment meters. Overall, the Government have paid about half of a typical household bill since October 2022.

[Gareth Davies]

I would simply point out that across the United Kingdom we have provided extensive support, as I said in my answer to the substantive question. I am very happy to write to the hon. Gentleman with details on his specific point.

[David Duguid]

When the energy profits levy was introduced to help the Government’s support of household energy bills, I welcomed the investment tax allowance that was introduced along with it on new oil and gas for energy security. In recent weeks, I also welcomed the Exchequer Secretary’s announcement in Aberdeen of a price floor in the form of an energy security investment mechanism, at which the EPL will be removed. The devil, of course, will be in the detail. I welcome the Treasury’s ongoing engagement and dialogue with the oil and gas industry, but will the Minister commit to a regular, perhaps quarterly, fiscal forum with the industry, as used to happen prior to covid? Does he agree that Labour’s plans to ban all new oil and gas is based on ideology and not a pragmatic approach to this country’s energy security and net zero?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman ought to put in for an Adjournment debate. It would be easier for all of us.