Government must cancel October energy price rise to save families in Bedford Borough £118 million

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to spare families from soaring energy bills by cancelling October's price cap increase, accusing the Conservatives of "stalling in the face of a national emergency".

The bold plan would save a typical household in Bedford Borough around £1,700 a year. The 70% increase in the energy price cap expected to be announced by Ofgem later this month would be cancelled, with the Government instead paying the shortfall to energy suppliers so that they can afford to supply customers at the current rates.

This would mean a total estimated saving for households in Bedford Borough of £118,483,707 off their electricity and gas bills.

The Liberal Democrats say the estimated £36 billion cost should be met by expanding the windfall tax on oil and gas company profits, and using the Government's higher-than-expected VAT revenues as a result of soaring inflation.

The party is also calling for more targeted support for vulnerable and low income households. This would include doubling the Warm Homes Discount to £300 and extending it to all those on Universal Credit and Pension Credit, while investing in insulating fuel poor homes to bring prices down in the long term.

Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Councillor Dean Crofts said "Our residents are already struggling to make ends meet, and are deeply concerned about how they will cope with the predicted rise in energy bills. This Conservative Government is stalling in the face of a national emergency and, yet again, is simply not doing enough to put money back in the pockets of hard-working people.

"Our residents cannot wait for a new Conservative leader to act. This is an emergency, and the Government must step in now to help families and pensioners in Bedford Borough by cancelling the planned rise in energy bills this October."

Please let us know how the cost of living crisis is impacting you by answering our survey https://bedfordlibdems.org.uk/cost. If you would like to show your support for scrapping the energy price rise, please sign the Liberal Democrat petition https://change.libdems.org.uk/energy.