Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to reintroduce a £400 energy bill rebate to help households cope with rising energy costs and the increased cost of living.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) delivered a £400 non-repayable government discount on electricity bills to help 28 million households across the UK in winter 2022/23. Since then, the government welcomes recent reductions to household energy bills but is continuing to closely monitor energy prices and keeping energy support schemes under review.

To protect the most vulnerable, the government is providing a cost-of-living payment of £900 paid across three instalments through 2023/24 with an additional £300 for pensioner households and £150 for those on an eligible disability benefit. This is an increase from the £650 cost-of-living payment the government provided in 2022-23.