Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will estimate the average annual energy bill for a typical family in Ashfield constituency in each of the last five years.

Estimates of average energy bills by region can be derived from data in tables 2.2.4 and 2.3.4 of DECC’s publication Quarterly Energy Prices (QEP) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/annual-domestic-energy-price-statistics .

Estimates for Ashfield constituency are not available but the table below shows the average annual bill per household for the East Midlands from 2010. These estimates are based on the combined average standard electricity and gas annual bills based on fixed consumptions of 3,800kWh/year for electricity and 15,000 kWh/year for gas. The bills provided are averaged across all methods of payment and expressed in cash terms.

As set out in the 2014 Prices and Bills report^[1] increases in wholesale energy costs, which make up around half of a household energy bill, have been the biggest factor behind rising energy bills over recent years.

We are supporting consumers by taking measures to increase competition in the market, make it quicker and easier to switch and by providing support for vulnerable consumers. Changes to social and environmental levies and a government-funded rebate, also cut £50 off the average household energy bill in 2014.

[1] Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estimated-impacts-of-energy-and-climate-change-policies-on-energy-prices-and-bills-2014