Thornbury & Yate MP calls for emergency energy bill freeze after price rise announced

Liberal Democrat MP Claire Young has called on the government to freeze energy bills following Ofgem’s announcement that the energy price cap will rise again in January.

The Thornbury & Yate MP also called on the government to reinstate Winter Fuel Payments or risk local pensioners being clobbered in the coming months by bill rises and cuts to support.

Ofgem announced today that the energy price cap will rise to £1,738 a year in January, following the previous 10% rise in October.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to cancel this rise in energy bills so that households don’t face even higher energy costs in the new year.

Claire Young MP said: 

“People across Thornbury & Yate should not have to face the prospect of once again having to fork out even more for their energy bills this winter. This energy price rise should not go ahead.

“I have heard already from countless people in our area about how worried they will have to choose between putting food on the table and staying warm this winter.

“For many pensioners here too, this price rise coincides with the cut to Winter Fuel Payments – creating a dangerous combination of rising bills and less support than they planned for.

“The new government has pledged to bring down energy bills. It is time for them to live up to their word, cancel this bill rise and protect families and pensioners across our area this winter.”