Select committee: Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Conclusion 10
First Report - Preparing for the winter
Published 23 Sep 2023
Paragraph 38
Addressed to Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Preparing for the winter All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
While we welcome the forthcoming set of consumer standards, we are disappointed that Ofgem did not anticipate the need for significant improvements ahead of this winter. Introducing them from December 2023 will likely be too late to see significant 12 Preparing for the winter differences made this winter. We also believe that energy companies have not been sufficiently proactive in anticipating and exceeding the expectations of Ofgem and the public.
From: Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, First Report - Preparing for the winter (HC 1720), paragraph 38, 23 September 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 15 December 2023 (deadline 23 November 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government's response describes existing schemes and reforms across energy bill support, fuel poverty and consumer standards, does not intend to re-open the Energy Bills Support Scheme or its Alternative Funding, and says it will keep support under review.
- On households that missed out on the Energy Bills Support Scheme, the Government "does not have any plans to re-open the EBSS AF", and says it "will continue to closely monitor energy prices and keep energy support schemes under review".
- On the Warm Home Discount, it says it has extended the scheme to 2025/26 and reformed it to remove any "first come first served aspect", and it "continues to explore options to make the WHD more flexible".
- On standing charges, it says this is "a matter for Ofgem", notes Ofgem's call for input published on 16 November, and says removing the charge would create "distributional impacts". It will "work closely with Ofgem".
- On smart meters, it "has also committed to consult" on options to further incentivise or require smart meter installation for recipients of the Energy Company Obligation (phase 4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme. No date is stated.