Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will extend energy energy support for manufacturers to Northern Ireland.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Every business in the country has paid the price of Britain’s dependence on foreign fossil fuel markets. The government is closely monitoring the impact of energy prices on businesses following the instability in the Middle East. The Chancellor confirmed in May that any support would be targeted at those businesses most exposed.
We are taking immediate action on high electricity prices through the Business and Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. The Northern Ireland Executive will receive funding to deliver an equivalent programme to BICS, subject to business case development.
We are continuing to develop policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas for the non-domestic sector and intend to consult on options to reduce costs and make low-carbon heat the economically rational choice. Our intention is for any future support scheme to be available UK-wide, creating a common framework for incentivising electrification and decarbonisation.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to issue guidance to energy companies in Northern Ireland on (a) tackling fraudulent use of energy support vouchers and (b) reissuing vouchers to customers who have not been able to redeem theirs as a result of fraud.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Department is aware of a small number of cases in which customers have reported that they have not received their voucher and yet it has already been redeemed. Customers are required to produce various forms of evidence and identification when redeeming a voucher and this is set out in the scheme guidance. The Government is working closely with suppliers to ensure eligible customers receive their payment as soon as possible, whilst appropriately protecting public money.