Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether energy suppliers are permitted to take funds paid through the Energy Bills Support Scheme to settle domestic energy debts in cases where there is a payment plan in place through the benefits system.

The objective of the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) is to help people with the cost of their energy bills over this winter. Where credit is applied to an account, it will contribute to arrears and any agreed debt repayment plan. As set out in its consultation response, the Government expects and encourages suppliers to make it their priority to work actively to move customers with large arrears balances onto repayment plans wherever possible.

There are comprehensive rules in place to protect energy customers at risk of being in debt.