Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment his Department has made of the differential in domestic energy costs between Wales and the rest of the UK.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) publishes annual estimates of gas and electricity bills along with statistics on household expenditure of fuel. The most recent statistics published by BEIS regarding average variable unit costs and standing charges for gas demonstrates that in 2021, in North Wales and Merseyside the average variable unit price (£/kWh) was on par with the average across Great Britain, while in South Wales the average was £0.0006 per kWh higher. Similarly, in 2021, the most recent statistics published by BEIS regarding average variable unit costs and standing charges for standard electricity saw those in South Wales see an average variable unit price (£/kWh) on par with the UK average, with those in North Wales and Merseyside paying £0.01 more than the UK average. This Government is committed to ensuring that all regions pay a fair price for energy.

The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and today, the Prime Minister set out further measures of support that this government will be providing as we deal with these global challenges. Action taken by this government will see a typical household in Great Britain pay no more than £2,500 on their energy bills from October for each of the next two years. This will save a typical household £1,000 a year and comes in addition to the non-refundable £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme.