PMQs: Sunak refuses to cut energy bills

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine today asked Rishi Sunak if he would stop the planned April energy price rise, but he refused once again. Responding, Christine Jardine MP said: 

“By refusing to cut energy bills Rishi Sunak is leaving millions of families and pensioners on the brink.

“This Conservative Government is happy to heartlessly stand by while millions see their energy bills continue to soar. 

“We need real action, and that means implementing the Liberal Democrat plans to cut energy bills with a huge windfall tax and tax oil and gas giants bonanza bonuses.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Christine Jardine asked her PMQ at 12:24:25

Liberal Democrat Energy Rescue Package

• Instead of the Conservatives’ plan to hike the energy price guarantee by £500, the Liberal Democrats want to scrap the bill hike and reduce the average energy bill to £1,971 - the level it was last April. This would save the average household an estimated £400 on their energy bills over the next 12 months.
• For the least well-off households, the Liberal Democrats want extra targeted support, including doubling the Warm Homes Discount to £300.
• The party is also calling on the government to U-turn on its plans to slash energy bill support for businesses, schools and hospitals by 85%, and instead extend current levels of support for another six months.
• The Liberal Democrat plan would mostly be funded through money already budgeted for energy support, but now unspent due to falling energy prices.
• Additional funds would be raised by a proper windfall tax on the record profits of oil and gas companies, including scrapping the fossil fuel investment loophole and raising the rate of the windfall tax from 35% to 40%.
• This could raise at least £15 billion more than the government’s current Energy Profits Levy.