8 Acknowledged

Department commissioned evaluations to assess effectiveness of universal energy support schemes.

Conclusion
The Department has commissioned independent evaluations of all of its domestic and non–domestic financial support schemes.15 As part of these evaluations, the Department is reviewing whether approaches like universal support were effective, or if the cost of providing support to homes and businesses that did not necessarily need it (known as ‘deadweight’) was justified by the broader economic benefits.16
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation, stating it has conducted lessons learned activities and will share evaluation reports, including domestic and non-domestic energy affordability scheme evaluations, by Q3 2025. It will also write to the Committee with learnings within one month of publication.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2025 1.2 The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has conducted lesson learnt activities during delivery for each individual scheme, and across the portfolio of schemes since 2023. Lessons have included changing the way that the department delivers support to the non-domestic energy market, in addition to how the department overcomes 9 barriers in providing support to ‘hard to reach’ consumers. The department has circulated overarching lessons learned reports internally and will share them with the Committee, along with the domestic and non-domestic evaluation reports upon their publication in Q3 2025. 1.3 Alongside these lessons learnt activities, the evaluations of the domestic and non-domestic Energy Affordability schemes will be fully complete and published by Q3 2025. Within one month of publication the department will write to the Committee setting out the learnings from these schemes which can be applied in responding to any future energy price crisis. 1.4 The Domestic Interim Process and Early Outcome Evaluations (for Great Britain and Northern Ireland) were completed and published in April 2025. These evaluations collected a wide range of evidence, including demonstrating successful deployment of schemes at pace to large numbers of households. It also highlights lessons relating to promoting awareness of the automatically delivered schemes; improving engagement of the application-based schemes (including households using alternative fuels and/or with complex relationships with intermediaries); the difficulties of targeting beyond those on means tested benefits. 1.5 The forthcoming non-domestic energy affordability evaluation will include lessons for delivery to this sector, as well as highlighting how the department has improved its understanding of complex energy markets.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.3 yr
Report published 28 Mar 2025