Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to support people in local authority funded nursing homes who lack mental capacity and do not have anyone with power of attorney to access energy support schemes.

Partially or wholly self-funded care home residents are eligible to apply for support under the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. Family members, friends, and carers of eligible care home residents can apply on their behalf if they do not have the mental capacity to do so, as long as the residents’ details are provided. If applying through the contact centre, eligible residents can also provide verbal consent for trusted individuals to apply on their behalf.