To ask the Minister for Communities what assurances she can give to people facing financial pressures as a result of the rise in the cost of living.

Recently, I announced an Energy Payment Support Scheme which will see a one-off payment of £200 to around 280,000 people. For those who are eligible, my Department continues to provide Winter Fuel and Cold Weather Payments. Support is also available through Discretionary Support and an Affordable Warmth Scheme. The Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme, that my Department contributed £2m in support of, provides immediate help to households who are struggling to meet their energy costs and who have a temporary inability to meet their fuel costs.