Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to tackle fuel poverty in rural areas.

Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for this Government. We are committed to publishing a new Fuel Poverty strategy for England, which will ensure that many more fuel poor households achieve affordable warmth by 2030, alongside the Warm Homes Plan.

We are currently supporting rural and off gas grid homes through schemes including the Homes: Local Grant, which is aimed at low income and vulnerable consumers.

Support is also available through the Warm Home Discount which has been expanded for this winter, – increasing the total number of households that will receive the discount from 3.2 million to around 6 million.