I am aware of the impact that global energy price rises have had on consumers, and I have received a number of correspondences from constituents regarding this. I hope to provide some reassurance on the measures the Government have installed to address energy price rises.
To support consumers, the Government is maintaining the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) until April 2024. As you may know, the EPG limits the amount that consumers can be charged per unit of gas or electricity. Although energy prices are currently below the level at which EPG payments would be made, its continuation through winter will protect consumers from price spikes.
Alongside this, over 2023-24, the Government is providing targeted support to the most vulnerable through Cost of Living Payments, which will be paid to eight million households on eligible means-tested-benefits, six million people on eligible disability benefits, and eight million pensioner households. Additionally, to empower local authorities to provide discretionary support to those most in need, the Government has provided £1 billion of extra funding to the Household Support Fund, bringing the total of the fund to £2.5 billion.