To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the report by National Energy Action entitled Plugged In, published in July 2023, on the level of Government support for the energy costs for (a) Gypsy, (b) Traveller, (c) Roma and (d) other nomadic communities' households; and whether her Department is taking steps to ensure nomadic communities can access energy support schemes.
Answered on
7 September 2023
The Government will provide a £600 voucher to itinerant boat travellers who are registered with the Canal and River Trust as continuous cruisers and held a long-term licence for a minimum of one day while the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding was open. We have been unable to establish a robust method for households in caravans not on permanent sites to prove that their caravan is their main or sole residence, whilst protecting public funds against fraud. However, we recommend that these households visit the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to view alternative support that may be available.