Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Hollern Excerpts

Tuesday 27th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Claire Coutinho]

I thank my hon. Friend for her doughty campaigning for nuclear—she is our very own atomic kitten. We are very positive about nuclear and have set out plans for the largest expansion of nuclear for 70 years. Overall that will be a good thing for people’s energy bills and the energy security of this country.

[Kate Hollern (Blackburn) (Lab)]

2. What estimate she has made of the number of households in fuel poverty in winter 2023-24.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

6. What estimate she has made of the number of households in fuel poverty in winter 2023-24.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Amanda Solloway)]

Fuel poverty is a devolved matter. The latest figures, published on 15 February 2024, showed that 3.17 million households were in fuel poverty in 2023. The Government continue to deliver financial support to low-income homes and vulnerable households through the warm home discount scheme and cost of living payments.

[Kate Hollern]

As I am sure you are aware, Mr Speaker, the cost of living crisis is far from over for constituents in our area. The Government’s latest energy efficiency policy, the Great British insulation scheme, was supposed to insulate 100,000 homes a year, but so far just 3,000 families have been helped in eight months, including only 35 homes in Lancashire and just six in Blackburn. Will the Minister explain why currently it will take 60 years to meet their three-year target?