Government measure to combat poverty fails to help all 

Local MP, Andrew George challenged government Ministers to help all who struggle most in energy poverty, following today’s announced initiative to cut energy bills.  

Ofgem today announced that the energy price cap is set to drop by 7% from April, cutting the average dual-fuel household’s bill by about £10 per month. However, Andrew George has asked Ministers to do more for rural households who buy bottled gas and will not benefit from the reduction in the energy price cap.  

He said, “Welcome as this is, I would urge Ministers to go further. We expected them to include measures for all customers in their announcement today.  

“On the initiative itself, I note government ministers have partially taken up Liberal Democrat proposals to bring down energy bills. However, the way they have done this is short-term, nor as ambitious as they should and could be.  

“Energy bills for struggling households are still around a third higher than before Putin’s war in Ukraine. Half of the Government’s Budget energy bill package will only be in place for three years, and its decision to cut vital home insulation schemes only makes it harder for families to keep their homes warm.  

“Liberal Democrats proposal to cut energy bills has been fully costed and funded and would halve energy bills by 2035 by breaking the link between electricity and gas prices; and implementing an emergency Home Upgrade Programme to make homes cheaper to heat in the winter and cool in the summer.”