Liverpool's MPs have universally condemned the Government's decision to raise the energy price cap again, which they say will have a 'catastrophic' impact on the most vulnerable Brits.
The new price cap, announced by Ofgem, means millions of households across the country will face an 80% increase in energy costs, taking the average yearly bill to £3,549. The average household bill for energy in the UK increased by approximately £693 - £1,277 to £1,971 - in April this year, with bosses warning further price hikes were to come.
The increase was blamed on a record rise in global gas prices, with wholesale prices quadrupling since 2021. It is predicted the price cap could be raised yet again in 2023, bringing the average annual household bill to more than £6,000.
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Here is what our local politicians had to say.
Dan Carden, Liverpool Walton MP
"Today’s announcement by Ofgem is catastrophic.
"The people I represent are terrified that they will not be able to heat their homes this winter. Local businesses and services are facing collapse. This is a national emergency, but the Government is missing in action.
"Ministers must cancel the hike and control runaway prices now.
"The Conservatives’ refusal to properly tax the obscene profits of oil and gas giants, while millions of people face being plunged into hardship, shows whose side they are on.
"We need a Government willing to put the interests of struggling families above the interests of private profit. Instead of propping up a failing system, we should bring energy into public hands.
"In addition, we need to safeguard people’s incomes by boosting pay and social security, and deliver a plan to insulate homes and roll-out renewables for long-term energy security."
Kim Johnson, Liverpool Riverside MP
"The announcement of an 80% hike in the so-called energy cap from an already high £1,971 per year to £3,549 come October is horrendous and will force millions more families into poverty, including in my constituency. I am especially desperately worried about those living on pensions, on benefits and in low-paid work as they will not be able to afford such grotesque amounts to heat their homes or cook hot food.
"They are living in fear, and I too am fearful about the consequences for the health of my constituents, especially the most vulnerable, this winter. It's no surprise that the PM, the two candidates for PM and all Government Ministers are in hiding this morning, unable to justify their inaction.
"This is a national emergency and we need an urgent response - an immediate freeze on price rises, paid for by a higher windfall tax on the obscene profits being made by producers, an immediate uprate for pensions and benefits in line with inflation.
"Look across the Channel at France - price rises limited to 4% because the Government saw the writing on the wall and took their energy companies into public ownership precisely to protect their citizens. Surely now is the time to look at bringing our energy companies back into public ownership, a move popular with the public especially as they face poverty and hardship in the face of ever-rising profits for fat cat shareholders."
lan Byrne, Liverpool West Derby MP
“It is not a price cap. It is unfettered greed from a regulatory body bankrupt of social responsibility but acting wholly in the interests of a broken energy model. Our communities across West Derby and beyond will be driven into poverty keeping warm in the winter by private energy providers putting greed over need.
"Businesses, the lifeblood of our community, will go bust when we need these companies to grow and prosper. We need public ownership now to transform our energy sector so it works for the public good, not private greed.”
Paula Barker, Liverpool Wavertree MP
"The energy price cap rise simply cannot be allowed to go ahead. The Government must act to freeze the cap now. It's in times of crisis when the folly of privatisation is exposed for what it is. It's time to bring energy back under public control."
Maria Eagle, Garston and Halewood MP
"£3,549 is a disaster for many of my constituents who will not be able to afford this as winter sets in. We must have a price freeze now to avert rises that will be catastrophic for so many. Some of my constituents are already telling me they are having to choose between heating and eating.”
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