Cost of living crisis: Government urged to cancel October energy price cap rise by Medway Liberal Democrats

Medway Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to cancel the October energy price cap increase - as Medway residents prepare for their energy bills to rise by up to 70% . The latest price cap - the maximum amount suppliers can charge customers for average energy usage in England, Scotland and Wales for October - is due to be announced at the end of this month and will come into affect in October.

John Castle, Chair for Medway Liberal Democrats, said " We are calling on the Government to cancel October's price cap increase. People across the Medway towns and Kent are struggling to make ends meet and need a lifeline if they are to get through this frightening hike 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.

Hard-working families in our towns are already struggling to make ends meet, and are deeply concerned about how they will cope with the predicted rise in energy bills. 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."

Liberal Democrats believe cancelling the October price cap increase could save families in Medway more than £1,600. The party states the Government would instead pay the shortfall to energy suppliers so that they can afford to supply customers at the current rates. Liberal Democrats are 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.

ENDS

Additional Information for Editors:

For more information about Liberal Democrats Cost of Living Policy: F30: Tackling the Cost-of-Living Crisis (libdems.org.uk)

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