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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many and what proportion of households who do not have their own direct relationship with an energy supplier have received support from the Energy Bills Support Scheme as of 20 December 2022.

Through the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) Alternative Funding the Government has ensured that the £400 is available to households that do not have a direct relationship with their energy supplier and will therefore not automatically receive the EBSS. The total number of households eligible for EBSS Alternative Funding is estimated to be 900,000.

Those who are eligible for the EBSS Alternative Funding will need to submit a short online form via GOV.UK, with the application portal due to open in January. A dedicated customer helpline will be available to assist customers who do not have online access, with further details to be released next month.