Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Acknowledged
Off-grid homes and businesses experienced delays in receiving alternative fuel support.
Conclusion
Some off-grid homes and businesses had to wait longer to receive support compared to the schemes to support consumers connected to the energy grid. The Department started delivering payments through the non-domestic Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme in February 2023. On 6 February 2023, it expected that eligible consumers would receive payments during February and March 2023.14 Following our evidence session, the Department launched the application for the top-up element of the non-domestic AFP on 20 March 2023, which is available for consumers who are high users of heating oil.15
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation, highlighting its swift action and the inherent complexity of reaching off-grid households, and is now seeking to learn lessons for future scheme delivery.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2023 1.2 The government acted swiftly to provide support to UK households and delivered almost £40 billion of energy bills support through different schemes from October 2022 to March 2023, an unprecedented pace of intervention. This extensive experience in delivering household support and the valuable lessons learned are now underpinning government planning on a range of possible scenarios for next winter. 1.3 The government prioritised quickly reaching as many UK households as possible, which was inherently complex, with greater challenges associated with certain households. People not covered by domestic electricity supply arrangements or off the gas grid (or both) are harder to reach and designing and delivering bespoke application-based solutions for them took time. Additional steps were required, for example to develop and implement application systems, checks to guard against fraud and error and to safeguard public money. Local authorities delivered these schemes in Great Britain, which took time deciding eligibility and handling applications securely. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (the department) is seeking to learn lessons on delivery routes and communications so that future schemes could better serve consumers, in particular those who are vulnerable in terms of their personal circumstances or their energy use.