Peter Aldous MP raises concerns about energy prices this coming winter and asks if the Government is considering the introduction of a social tariff.
Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for outlining those measures. I sense it will be a very bleak winter; the energy price cap will play a role, but it would help if it were augmented by a social tariff. Will he advise on whether there have been any discussions in Government about the introduction of such a tariff?
Greg Hands (The Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change)
I thank my hon. Friend for that thoughtful question. Obviously, all these things are under review, but I remind him that we replaced the social tariff with other support schemes for bill payers under the coalition. That remains our position, but we—both the Department and the Treasury, and indeed, the whole Government—study these positions and issues very closely indeed.