Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Murray Excerpts

Thursday 1st December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Chris Huhne]

I simply do not agree with the hon. Gentleman, who argues that consumers will lose out from the measure. If we had not acted quickly to deal with cost overruns in the sector, not only would we not have been able to provide a sustainable future for those who are employed and have businesses in it, but we would have added so substantially to consumer bills that the impact on many other businesses right across the country, through reduced consumer spending, would have been substantial.

[Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to assist households with their energy costs.

[David Wright (Telford) (Lab)]

10. What steps he is taking to assist households with their energy costs.

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

We expect the warm home discount scheme to help about 2 million low-income and vulnerable households per year. This winter, energy suppliers will be required to provide automatic rebates of £120 on energy bills to more than 600,000 pensioners on the pension credit guarantee. In future, the green deal and the energy company obligation will provide energy efficiency measures at no up-front cost.

[Ian Murray]

The Minister will be aware that the Secretary of State, at the Liberal Democrat conference just a few weeks ago, said:

“None of us should have to save on warmth in a cold winter. Some of the most vulnerable and elderly will shiver—and worse—if we do not help.”

Why then does he believe that the Government should cut winter fuel payments to 12.7 million pensioners?

[Charles Hendry]

The hon. Gentleman will be completely aware that that policy was announced by the previous Government, who did not put the money into their budget for it to go forward. We have therefore continued the policy that was put in place, but we have introduced the most rigorous scheme of energy efficiency in our homes—rolling it out in a way not even dreamed of by the previous Administration—to bring lasting help and care to support such people.