The Government is providing help to consumers with energy bills in three basic ways: through direct financial support, with energy efficiency initiatives and by boosting competition. With the winter fuel payment, with the warm home discount, and with cold weather payments, in 2012-13 the Government spent over £2.5 billion on direct subsidies to reduce bills. With the Energy Company Obligation and the Green Deal we are helping consumers to reduce bills permanently. Along with Ofgem, our policies in both the retail and wholesale markets are intensifying competition to help consumers reduce their bills this winter and every winter.