Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Parish Excerpts

Tuesday 16th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Neil Parish.

[Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con)]

Question 5, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

You are meant to stand up.

[Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con)]

5. What steps he is taking to help protect families from increases in global gas prices.

[Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab)]

8. What steps he is taking to help protect (a) business and (b) consumers from rising wholesale gas prices.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Greg Hands)]

The Government’s energy price cap will ensure that millions of households are protected from an instant wave of bill increases this winter. We also have well-established schemes in place for those businesses that are most exposed to energy prices.

[Neil Parish]

Apologies, Mr Speaker—some of us are very slow learners.

With global energy markets in a state of flux, Tiverton and Honiton constituents, particularly elderly and vulnerable residents, are concerned about the sharp increases in household bills. With Christmas just around the corner, will my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government will do all they can to stabilise the UK energy sector and ensure that those who experience fuel insecurity have the support they need this winter? Many rural households are off grid, so oil and electricity prices are also of great concern.

[Greg Hands]

I assure my hon. Friend that protecting consumers is our No. 1 priority. The Secretary of State and I engage with Ofgem very often and with energy suppliers constantly, to monitor the health of the energy market. The Government’s warm homes discount, winter fuel payment and cold weather payment schemes will support low-income and vulnerable households throughout the winter.