Honiton MP: East Devon families cannot afford to pay an additional £500 in energy bills

The Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Tiverton is urging the government to abandon its plan to change the cap on energy costs which will lead to substantial increases in energy bills. 

In April the Conservatives are planning to increase the energy price guarantee by £500 by changing the price at which the cost of energy is capped. Under the Government's plans, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will rise from £2,500 to £3,000.

The change will lead to a sharp increase in people's bills - in the three months from April, the average household bill will rise by the equivalent of £500 a year. 

Instead, Richard Foord wants to see the government expand the windfall tax on super profits and implement a one-off bonus tax on the bosses of gas and oil companies. 

Richard Foord said: "The Conservatives' plan to allow energy bills to surge yet again in April will come as a hammer blow to people across Devon who are already struggling and have seen their rent, mortgage, shopping bills, and taxes rise. 

"This out-of-touch Government has no clear long-term plan to deal with this cost of living crisis that is continuing to weigh down on people and businesses across our towns and villages. Their actions are simply making things worse. 

"People need real support and that's what the Liberal Democrats are calling for. Sadly, to add insult to injury, Rishi Sunak is happy for energy bosses to rake in millions of pounds in bonuses, all while families struggle to put food on the table or heat their homes." 

Many Honiton businesses, such as the Honiton Wine Bar, are already struggling to pay their energy bills.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey added: "Rishi Sunak must act now to save families from a cost-of-living cliff edge, by cutting energy bills, instead of increasing them. People deserve a fair deal - with a cut to their energy bills, paid for by a proper windfall tax and a one-off levy on the bonuses of oil and gas bosses." 

Read more:

Richard Foord: Government's off-grid support misses the mark

Richard Foord MP challenges PM over promised new hospitals that have yet to receive planning approval

If you enjoyed this article, why not sign up for our free weekly newsletter?