Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what targeted guidance is available to medically vulnerable people who cannot safely reduce their heating use.

The Government’s fuel poverty strategy seeks to ensure households are supported to achieve warm homes at an affordable cost. The UK Health Security Agency has produced guidance for the public on how to keep warm and well at home, which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-warm-keep-well-leaflet-gives-advice-on-staying-healthy-in-cold-weather

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has produced guidance to reduce the health risks associated with cold homes, which is available at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng6

The audiences for this include people who may have health problems related to living in a cold home, as well as their families and carers.

Financial support schemes are also available to help some vulnerable groups with their energy bills, including the Warm Home Discount and the Cold Weather Payment. People may also be able to access support to pay energy bills from their local council through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Vulnerable individuals can also join their energy supplier’s Priority Services Register, through which they can receive extra advice and support.