Richard Foord calls for energy bills to be frozen and Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated after energy price rise

Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, Richard Foord, has called on the government to freeze energy bills following Ofgem’s announcement that the energy price cap will rise again in January.

Mr Foord also called on the government to reinstate Winter Fuel Payments or risk pensioners in rural areas 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.

Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, Richard Foord, said:

“People in rural Devon are facing the prospect of having to fork out even more for their energy bills this winter. Many cannot afford for this energy price rise to go ahead.

“I have heard already from countless people in our area about how worried they are that this winter.

“For many pensioners here, this price rise coincides with the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment - bill rises and less support will leave many struggling to keep warm this winter.

“This follows years of neglect for schemes that would have made homes warmer and more efficient. Had these schemes been funded properly, bills would be significantly lower today.

"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 here in Honiton & Sidmouth this winter."