Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans has he to support pensioners with the cost of energy in (a) City of Durham and (b) County Durham.

The Government is committed to supporting all consumers, including pensioners in the City of Durham and County Durham. We believe that the only way to protect billpayers permanently and to guarantee our energy security is to speed up our transition away from volatile, foreign, fossil fuel markets towards clean homegrown energy.

In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills to eligible low-income households. In August, I met with energy suppliers to discuss additional support they can provide this winter and we are working together to ensure vulnerable consumers, including pensioners, are supported this winter.