Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what further steps they will be taking to protect vulnerable people during the cold weather.

The Government has set up a number of Energy Affordability schemes to support vulnerable people with the cost of their energy bills during the cold weather. The Energy Price Guarantee will save a typical household in Great Britain £900 this Winter. The Energy Bills Support Scheme provided households with £400 non-repayable Government discount paid in instalments to UK households from October 2022 to March 2023. Households using alternative fuels will be also entitled to a £200 Alternative Fuel Payment.

This is in addition to the cost-of-living support package announced in May 2022 of:

• £650 Cost of Living Payment for those on means tested benefits;
• £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment for pensioners, households across the UK to be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment;
• £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment.