Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to polling from the Royal College of Physicians which found that 12 per cent of people said they had previously been advised by a health professional to keep their home warm to reduce the likelihood of becoming unwell or making an existing health condition worse, what assessment has she made of those patient's financial ability to pay energy costs over the next six months; and what steps she will take to support those who are financially unable to meet energy costs.

The Government has announced measures to support households with rising energy bills, such as the Energy Price Guarantee, the Energy Bill Support Scheme and the Household Support Fund which is delivered through local authorities. These measures also provide £15 billion for the most vulnerable households.

Vulnerable households can also contact their energy supplier for support via the Priority Services Register. Energy suppliers can offer payment plans and other support to help households manage rising energy prices. This is in addition to established schemes such as the Warm Home Discount and the Winter Fuel Payment. NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions are also working with the Money and Pensions Service to include information on money support and debt advice services into resources for social prescribing link workers. Energy efficiency schemes such as the Local Authority Delivery Scheme, Home Upgrade Grant, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and the Energy Company Obligation are also available.