To ask the Minister for Communities what actions she is taking to ensure public money, used for the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme, is not being abused by fuel suppliers.

The Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme is being operated by Bryson Care, an arm of the Bryson Charitable Group. This is not a Department for Communities scheme, this Department has made a contribution of £2 million to the scheme.

All emergency fuel payments for electricity, gas and oil are used solely to purchase the supply of the fuel; any administrative or delivery costs are not deducted from the £100 payment.

Electricity and gas prices are regulated by the Utility Regulator. The volume of oil that £100 may purchase will vary depending on the day the application is processed. To ensure oil applicants receive the best value for money Bryson Care has appointed an oil broker which uses a range of oil suppliers to identify the most competitive price in the area of the applicant’s residence.