Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the additional cost of living support he announced on 26 May 2022 will apply to (a) second homes and (b) holiday lets.

The Government is providing over £15bn of additional support, targeted particularly on those with the greatest need. This package builds on the over £22bn announced previously, with government support for the cost of living now totalling over £37bn this year.

The Government is helping all domestic electricity customers in Great Britain to cope with the impact of higher energy bills, with £400 off their bills from October through the expansion of the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS). This is a doubling of the £200 of support announced in February, and there will no longer be any repayments.

The Government’s intention is for EBSS to reach as many households as possible, while minimising the administrative complexity of the scheme. BEIS has consulted on the basis of paying EBSS via all domestic electricity meter points. A small number of households have multiple meter points – for example, some households have a second home or second meter points in their garage. The Government does not expect this to be a widespread issue.