Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a social tariff on energy as a result of the Ofgem price cap increase from 1 January 2024.

The Government recognises the challenges posed by cost-of-living pressures, including the impact of energy bills, and is already providing extensive financial support to households. This includes a package of support to assist households and individuals with rising costs of living that will total over £104 billion, or £3,700 per household on average, over 2022-2025.

As cost-of-living pressures decrease, the Government is continuing to support those most in need as prices come down. The Government is providing £900 of cost-of-living payments throughout 2023/24 to help vulnerable households, and this is an increase on the £650 provided the previous year.