The cost of energy

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 18 Feb 2025 Parliament page
In October last year the Committee published its i nterim report on the high costs of energy in the UK making recommendations on how costs fall on consumers in the retail side of the sector. In the second part of this inquiry, the Committee is looking at where costs arise … Read more
9 Recommendations
26 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
8 Events
Activity timeline 19 events
19 Mar
2026
Report published
17 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
17 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
4 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
21 Jan
2026
Report published
21 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
21 Jan
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
10 Dec
2025
Oral evidence
10 Dec
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
29 Oct
2025
Report published
15 Oct
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
17 Mar 2026
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Oral evidence
Jonathan Mills CB · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Michael Shanks MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
4 Mar 2026
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Oral evidence
Akshay Kaul · Ofgem Claire Dykta · National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) Fintan Slye · National Energy System Operator (NESO) Jonathan Brearley · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem
21 Jan 2026
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Oral evidence
Dr Alastair Martin · Flexitricity Dr Waqquas Bukhsh · University of Strathclyde Katrina Young · Energy Systems Catapult Lawrence Slade · Energy Networks Association (ENA) Professor Jacopo Torriti · University of Reading Sarah Honan · The Association for Decentralised Energy
10 Dec 2025
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Oral evidence
Adam Bell · Stonehaven Ana Musat · RenewableUK Professor Michael Grubb · UCL Susie Elks · E3G Tom Edwards · Cornwall Insight Tom Glover · RWE
15 Oct 2025
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Oral evidence
Andrew Ward · Scottish Power Customer Business Chris Norbury · E.ON UK Chris O'Shea · Centrica David Buttress · OVO Energy Rachel Fletcher · Octopus Energy Simone Rossi · EDF
9 Jul 2025
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Oral evidence
Arjan Geveke · Energy Intensive Users Group Beth Barker · Aldersgate Group David Mitchell · Chemical Industries Association David Wigham · Admiral Taverns; and representing British Beer and Pub Association Paul Wilson · Federation of Small Business Verity Davidge · Make UK
25 Jun 2025
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Oral evidence
Alex Belsham-Harris · Citizens Advice Beth Martin · Ofgem Dr Raj Roy · Centrica Ed Dodman · Ombudsman Services Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem Jonathan Lenton · Energy Ombudsman Katie Watts · MoneySavingExpert
4 Jun 2025
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Oral evidence
Angus McCarey · Uswitch Caroline Abrahams · Age UK Dhara Vyas · Energy UK Maria Booker · Fair By Design Matt Copeland · National Energy Action Merlin Hyman · Regen
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost crisis HC 736 29 Oct 2025 35 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Accelerate effective data sharing between stakeholders to improve support schemes and tackle fuel poverty.
More effective data sharing between key stakeholders will be essential in making all government support schemes fairer, better targeted and cost effective. We welcome the Government’s plans to improve data sharing across Whitehall but believe it must move further and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the priority of improving data sharing and outlines ongoing work across departments, including a working group with industry, to enhance data accuracy and availability for better targeting support.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Millions in fuel poverty or with disabilities remain ineligible for Warm Home Discount scheme.
The Warm Home Discount is a crucial mechanism to tackle fuel poverty and we welcome the Government’s plans to broaden eligibility for the scheme for winter 2025–26. However, it is deeply troubling that millions of households in fuel poverty and … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights its recent expansion of the Warm Home Discount to include an additional 2.7 million households, bringing coverage to 45% of fuel-poor households. It notes the committee's recommendation for further extension and increased value, stating it will explore improvements and respond to a consultation in due course.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Critical need exists for targeted bill support and social tariff for vulnerable consumers.
There is a critical need to provide greater, targeted bill support for low income and vulnerable consumers throughout the year in the form of a social tariff. We are concerned by the lack of progress to date. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for more targeted support for vulnerable households and indicates it will consider 'all options for future bill support' as part of a consultation on extending the Warm Home Discount and a review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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11 Recommendation Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Explore reforming Cold Weather Payment to provide daily payments during sub-zero forecasts.
The Government should explore reform of the Cold Weather Payment considering whether a £10 payment could be made to eligible households every day that the Met Office forecasts that the average temperature will be zero degrees or below the following … Read more
Government Response
The government states it keeps policies under review but describes the current Cold Weather Payment system, justifying its existing structure of £25 for seven consecutive days of cold weather, without committing to explore the proposed daily payment reform.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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12 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
UK experiencing a severe and escalating energy debt crisis impacting millions of customers.
The UK is experiencing a severe energy debt crisis that shows little sign of abating. Millions of customers currently owe more than £4bn in debt and arrears, a record figure that has more than tripled in just five years. This … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the severe energy debt crisis and the ongoing impact of the energy price crisis, but mainly describes Ofgem's reforms to price control mechanisms to prevent future windfall profits and ensure value for money, without committing to specific government action on a permanent debt relief scheme.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Energy networks accrued £4bn windfall profits while consumers face severe energy debt crisis.
While millions of consumers struggle with energy debt and the fallout of the recent energy price crisis, there is no shortage of money in the wider energy system. It is completely inexcusable that while households are forced to ration energy … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the energy debt problem and details Ofgem's active reforms to price control mechanisms (RIIO-3) to prevent future windfall profits by strengthening controls and cutting the link with inflation, which it states should deliver value for money.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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15 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Financially vulnerable customers incur unjustifiable "poverty premium" due to chosen energy payment method.
It is unjustifiable that financially vulnerable customers are expected to pay more for their energy under the Energy Price Cap because of their chosen payment method. This constitutes a poverty premium. (Conclusion, Paragraph 57)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the belief that all consumers should pay a fair price and outlines the Energy Price Cap's purpose, noting Ofgem's responsibility for its methodology. It further describes the Warm Homes Plan as a significant investment to make bills affordable for vulnerable households, without directly addressing the 'poverty premium' related to payment methods.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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16 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Time-of-use energy tariffs risk deepening inequalities without vulnerable consumer protections.
Time-of-use tariffs that allow customers to optimise the benefits of low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, electric vehicles and solar panels are welcome additions to the retail market, rewarding customers with low energy prices and supporting flexibility of the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the belief in fair energy prices and highlights the existing Energy Price Cap and the Warm Homes Plan, a significant investment in home upgrades to reduce bills for vulnerable households, but does not directly address the concerns about time-of-use tariffs deepening inequalities or the need for a social tariff.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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Government Response AI assessment · 35 of 9 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 8
Not Addressed 7
Rejected 2
Total 9 recs + 26 conclusions