Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent conversations her department has had with charities about the impact of rising energy bills on vulnerable households.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with charities on a range of subjects including the impact of high energy bills. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

The Government recognises that any price rise is a concern for households. The latest increase in energy bills is driven by increased wholesale energy costs, particularly gas, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. This means families and businesses are still experiencing the effects of global fossil fuel markets and is why we are so focused on getting onto clean, homegrown power that we control.

The Government has already intervened to give households breathing space with the cost of living by cutting VAT on electricity bills.

In addition, this Government took an average £150 of costs off bills at the Autumn budget, which will be factored into bills for years to come.