Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Davies and Alistair Carmichael

Tuesday 14th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

14. What fiscal steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support households in fuel poverty.

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

The Government have taken significant action to help households with rising energy prices and the costs of living by providing one of the largest packages of support in Europe, totalling £94 billion.

[Mr Carmichael]

Orkney and Shetland have the worst rates of fuel poverty of anywhere in the country. Provisional figures show that, for last winter, both Orkney and Shetland recorded record levels of winter mortality. In his new office, will the Minister bring his colleagues together from across Government to hear from agencies such as THAW—Tackling Household Affordable Warmth —in Orkney that are working to tackle fuel poverty, because if we can tackle fuel poverty in Orkney and Shetland, we can tackle fuel poverty?

[Gareth Davies]

We are incredibly sympathetic to the right hon. Gentleman’s constituents, who have suffered a very difficult time. That is why we introduced the energy price guarantee, which will remain in place until March 2024 as a safety net. We continue to engage with lots of stakeholders and we are very happy to include the ones he suggests.