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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the number of residents failing to pay (a) gas and (b) electricity bills as a result of increases in the cost of living in (i) the UK, (ii) Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority and (iii) Cynon Valley constituency.

Information about customer accounts is held by suppliers, however, Ofgem’s licence conditions include an Ability to Pay Principle, which obligates suppliers to provide appropriate support for those struggling to pay their bills by setting up appropriate repayment plans based on a customer’s ability to pay, and by directing the customer to further support services.

The Government’s Energy Price Guarantee will save a typical British household around £700 this winter. This is on top of the £400 discount off the energy bills of all households and additional cost of living support being provided to vulnerable households.