Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the effect of rising energy prices on the household finances of pensioners in (a) Coventry North East constituency and (b) Coventry.

The Government is monitoring the significant increases in wholesale energy prices closely, and meeting regularly with Ofgem, suppliers and consumer groups to understand the future impact on consumers as well as to discuss potential mitigations.

Eligible pensioners receiving a state pension will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Recipients will receive between £100 and £300 towards heating bills. Cold Weather Payments are paid to vulnerable claimants on qualifying benefits, including older people on Pension Credit, for every week of severe cold weather over the winter period. Between 1 November 2020 and 31 March 2021 the Government made £98.8 million in payments to those in need.

In addition to this, the Warm Home Discount scheme provides over £350m of energy bills support to low income and vulnerable households, largely through the provision of £140 rebates on energy bills.