Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the increases in the cost of living on affordability of communal heating charges.

The Government has recognised that increases in the cost of living have impacted the bills paid by heat network consumers. The Government has therefore introduced the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, and previously the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which support heat networks. Bills will vary depending on consumption levels, network efficiency, and other variables. The table below estimates the variable gas cost element of a bill for a customer consuming 7,000 kWh of heat on a gas heat network. It includes the impact of gas prices and government support schemes. Costs such as maintenance and standing charges have not been included.