Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether charity and community organisations in Northern Ireland can apply for grants to the Big Energy Saving Network.

The Big Energy Saving Network provides grant funding to charity, community and other third sector organisations to provide help and advice to electricity and gas consumers in the energy markets of England, Scotland and Wales. The Network is not operational in Northern Ireland as domestic gas and electricity policy and regulation are transferred to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (the Regulator) is proposing to introduce a new Consumer Protection Strategy which will coordinate the approach to further protection of electricity, gas and water consumers, particularly those deemed vulnerable consumers.