Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the compatibility of the social energy tariff system in Italy with the UK energy market.

As set out in the autumn statement, the Government is exploring the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024, as part of wider retail market reforms. The Government has looked at a range of international comparators, including Italy, although as energy markets and consumer circumstances vary between countries, the specific situation in the UK will need to be assessed.

The Government will set out its proposals in due course.

Up to then, in response to higher prices, the Government has put in place the Energy Price Guarantee and provided significant additional support to help those who need it most through this winter and into 2023-24.