Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted in Part
Hard-to-reach households showed low take-up of alternative energy support funding schemes.
Conclusion
Take–up of the energy bills support schemes was lower among harder–to–reach households that did not receive a payment directly from their energy supplier; 41 and may have been affected disproportionately by energy price fluctuations.42 These households did not receive an automatic payment because, for example, they did not have a domestic electricity contract with a supplier, such as those living in park homes and on boats. They instead needed to apply for eligible support through schemes like the EBSS Alternative Funding (EBSS AF). Take–up of the EBSS AF in Great Britain was 18.2% of a provisional estimate of 798,700 potentially eligible households; and in Northern Ireland take–up of the same scheme was 19.1% of a provisional estimate of 28,000 potentially eligible households.43 34 Q 48 35 Q 46; C&AG’s Report, para 15 36 Qq 46, 48, 50 37 Q 46; C&AG’s Report, para 4.8 38 Q 48 39 C&AG’s Report, para 12 40 Q 28; C&AG’s Report, para 12 41 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.14, 3.14 42 EBS0006 43 C&AG’s Report, para 3.14, infographic on page 6 11
Government Response Summary
The government is considering options for better targeting of bill support schemes and working with other government departments to unlock data to enable targeting support more effectively to those who need help with their energy bills; also expanding Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2025 3.2 The Warm Home Discount scheme currently supports over 3 million low income and fuel poor households with an annual energy bills rebate of £150. The government has consulted on expanding eligibility in England and Wales to all households where the bill payer (or their partner or nominee) is in receipt of means tested benefits, with a proportionate increase in the funding available through the Scottish scheme. Under the expansion, it is estimated that 1.6 million fuel poor households across Great Britain would receive the rebate, representing an increase of around 500,000 compared to the current scheme. In total the expansion of the scheme is estimated to reach a further 2.7 million households. 3.3 The department is considering options for better targeting of bill support schemes, including in the event of a future energy crisis. DESNZ is working closely with other government departments to unlock the data that will enable targeting support more effectively to those who need help with their energy bills. The department is working with relevant stakeholders, including advocacy charities, to inform this work. Ministers regularly meet with a range of stakeholders to discuss fuel poverty strategy, and this has included the National Housing Federation.