Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of rises in the cost of energy on families with disabled children.

The Autumn Statement set out a commitment to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024, including options such as social tariffs, as part of wider retail market reforms.

Officials are considering the options and proactively discussing these with stakeholders. As part of this work, the Government is working with disability organisations, assessing the need for specific support for disabled people including families with disabled children.

Further to this support, the Government set out additional Cost of Living support for 2023-24 in the Autumn Statement. This includes:

• an additional Cost of Living Payment of £900 for households on means tested benefits;
• a further £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment;
• a further £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment.