Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had with energy companies on reducing the cost of living for disabled people.

Early this year energy companies were contacted by the Department of Work and Pensions to find out whether they offered social tariffs for disabled people. It was found that no special tariffs were offered, however it was identified that people could save money by switching provider. Work coaches are able to direct claimants to switching services via the “Need Help Managing Your Money?” Leaflet.

In addition, my colleague the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), published a draft Bill to cap the amount that energy suppliers can charge customers who are on standard variable and default tariffs. This is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by the BEIS Select Committee. In addition, on 7 December Ofgem announced that it was extending the current safeguard tariff in place for customers on pre-payment meters, to customers in receipt of the Warm Home Discount who are on standard variable or default fixed term tariffs. This will come into effect on 2 February.

BEIS is also providing £1.3m funding this winter, for Third Sector organisations to support vulnerable disengaged energy consumers, including disabled households, to switch and save through the Big Energy Saving Network.