Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Green Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op)]

9. What steps he is taking to help households with energy bills.

[Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to help households with energy bills.

[Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab)]

15. What steps he is taking to help households with energy bills.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davey]

Fuel poverty needs to be tackled thoroughly, which is why we are bringing forward ambitious fuel poverty targets and a new fuel poverty strategy. Opposition Members should note that fuel poverty has actually fallen under this Government, whereas it rose under the last Government. That suggests that we should not be taking advice on energy policy from the Labour party.

[Kate Green]

Households with a disabled member have high fuel poverty levels, but working-age disabled people are not always able to access warm home discount schemes. In bringing forward a fuel poverty strategy, what will the Secretary of State do to ensure that that vulnerable group is protected?

[Mr Davey]

We have a whole panoply of measures to help vulnerable people, as I set out in my original answer. Some of the wider policies that we are implementing, particularly those relating to competition, are helping people across the board. We are in discussions with other Government Departments, particularly the Department for Work and Pensions, in relation to the point that the hon. Lady has raised.