Danny says: Scrap Energy Bill rise

Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester, Danny Chambers is calling on the Government to scrap the latest energy bill rise for local pensioners who’ve been stripped of their Winter Fuel Payments.

This comes as energy regulator Ofgem has today confirmed that the price cap for energy bills is set to rise a further 6.4% from April, the third consecutive quarter of price rises.

Liberal Democrat MP, Danny Chambers expressed his deep concern over the impact this would have on vulnerable pensioners across Winchester and the Meon Valley.

Previous Liberal Democrat research has found that nine in ten UK adults are worried about the cost of heating and have changed how they heat their homes this winter, to help keep bills lower.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for the introduction of an energy social tariff, to protect vulnerable people living in fuel poverty.

Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester said:
“The job of a regulator like Ofgem is to hold the energy companies to account, make sure they invest in their services, and to stop them from price gouging the people who rely on them.

“I am especially worried about the impact this latest energy bill rise will have on vulnerable pensioners and families in our community. I’ve heard from people who have been forced to choose between heating or eating this winter. Soaring heating bills are a real challenge for pensioners who have already had their Winter Fuel Payments slashed.

“Saying - it’s nothing to do with us, it’s OfGem’s decision - won’t cut it. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to block this latest energy bill rise at the very least for pensioners who have had their Winter Fuel Payments scrapped. The government needs to get a grip on energy bills, the least they could do is ensure that bills do not get bigger for those impacted by this cut.”