Amanda Solloway: Officials from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero are working closely with a range of stakeholders to assess options for a new approach to consumer protection from April 2024 as part of wider retail market reforms and we intend to consult on these options in Summer 2023. As part of this work, we are working with disability organisations, considering the costs for disabled people...
Amanda Solloway: Officials are working to establish if there is a robust method for boaters without permanent moorings to prove that their boat is their main or sole residence, whilst protecting public funds, so they can claim the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding and the Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund. We recommend that these households visit the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on...
Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding closed to new applications on 31 May 2023. Individuals that need additional support with an application they have submitted before the scheme closed to new applications can call the contact centre helpline on 08081753287 (08081753894 for Northern Ireland) where a representative can provide further assistance.
Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding closed to new applications on 31 May, and the department does not plan to re-open the scheme. The government believes that the 3-month time window provided sufficient time for eligible households to apply for their £400 support.
Amanda Solloway: The Government cannot provide a precise date at which officials will complete their work to establish if there is a robust method for these households to provide proof of eligibility, whilst protecting public funds, so they can claim the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. The Government is working to resolve this issue and will communicate this decision with key stakeholder...
Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) provides a baseline discount to all eligible businesses and non-domestic customers. The discount is subject to a wholesale price threshold of £107/MWh for gas and £302/MWh for electricity. Businesses experiencing energy costs below this level will not receive support. The EBDS discount is comparably lower than the Energy Bill Relief Scheme discount...
Amanda Solloway: Like other businesses, the video games industry benefited from Energy Bill Relief Scheme support and will continue to be provided a baseline discount under Energy Bills Discount Scheme if eligible. The Government is also supporting UK SMEs in dealing with cost-of-living pressures by cutting fuel duty for 12 months as well as helping businesses with £6bn of investment in energy efficiency....
Amanda Solloway: I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Herefordshire (Sir Bill Wiggin) for his impassioned speech. We have heard a lot from the rural champions who are here, so it is a great pleasure to be here. I point out that the issue is not in my portfolio; however, I will take back to the Department any question that I cannot answer, and will of course respond in due course to anybody I do not...
Amanda Solloway: I confess to being a whisky drinker, so I feel a visit coming on, but that might not be allowed. Of course, I will look into that. Transitioning rural, off-grid properties to low-carbon heat will help to move us off imported oil and build energy independence; help protect consumers from high and volatile energy bills; and keep us on track for net zero. However, I want to take this opportunity...
Amanda Solloway: The Department conducted a Public Sector Equality Duty assessment before the scheme launched, and this document is regularly updated. Officials also conducted an assessment for the length of the scheme, concluding that 3 months would provide suitable time for eligible households to apply, whilst lowering the risk of overpayments because of individuals moving during the scheme. The 31st May...
Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bill Relief Scheme review took account of contributions from the private sector, trade associations, the voluntary sector and other types of organisations on sectors that may be most affected by rising energy prices based on energy and trade intensity. The outcome of the review informed the criteria for the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS). Eligible SMEs will get the baseline...
Amanda Solloway: The Government considers that all energy consumers should pay a share of the non-commodity costs of being supplied with energy, for example the costs of building and maintaining the pipes and wires that bring energy to businesses and households, and schemes that help deliver more home-grown renewable energy.
Amanda Solloway: Ministers and officials meet regularly with suppliers to discuss a range of issues including standing charges. The setting of the standing charge is a commercial matter for individual suppliers. The standing charge reflects the on-going costs that fall on a supplier to provide and maintain a live supply to a customer. Standing charges are capped under the price cap, set by Ofgem, and ensure...
Amanda Solloway: Every household benefitted from the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bills Support Scheme which together covered around half of a typical household energy bill this winter, and by the end of June will have saved a typical household around £1,500. As Government explores possible approaches to consumer protection from April 2024, it is working with medical support organisations, considering...
Amanda Solloway: Whilst fuel poverty is devolved, support has been provided through the Northern Ireland Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payment. Through this households in Northern Ireland received a non-repayable payment totalling £600 to help with energy bills. In addition, the Energy Price Guarantee in Northern Ireland reduced the typical household’s dual fuel energy bill by £564 for...
Amanda Solloway: The Department does not hold the data that would allow us to make an estimate. Expectations set for suppliers factored in small delays in postage and suppliers and voucher providers had contingencies in place during postal strikes. Vouchers that are expired due to loss, damage or not having been received can be reissued by suppliers and will have an expiry date of 30 June 2023.
Amanda Solloway: Any eligible intermediary that was provided support from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme should have passed this on in a just and reasonable way, to end users. Guidance for intermediaries was published on GOV.UK which sets out how intermediaries should calculate the pass-through requirement.[1] Intermediaries must pass on the discount irrespective of how the end user pays for their energy...
Amanda Solloway: Any intermediary in England, Wales or Scotland or Northern Ireland that will be or has been provided support from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) must ensure they are passing this support on, in a just and reasonable way, to end users. The pass-through benefit must be passed on as soon as reasonably practicable. EBRS support ended on 31 March, if the scheme benefit were not yet passed on...
Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) ended on 31 March and has provided £7 billion of support. The new Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) continues to support all eligible intermediaries until March 2024. We are keen to ensure that all end users, receive the benefits of EBRS or EBDS where they are entitled to it. Guidance on the pass-through requirement across the energy affordability...
Amanda Solloway: I attended the meeting of the Disability Charities Consortium on 24 May, where the CEO of SCOPE was in attendance.