Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP, Allan Dorans has today demanded urgent action from the UK government to financially support people with spiralling energy costs.
His call comes in the wake of this morning’s announcement from the energy regulator Ofgem that the price cap is to rise by a staggering 80 per cent.
It could mean average household bills in Ayrshire rise from £1971 to £3549 — from October.
Even TV money guru Martin Lewis has warned that people will die this winter — because they cannot afford such crippling increases.
Mr Dorans has called on the UK Government to:
- Scrap the upcoming increase to the energy price cap
- Double the energy grant to £800 and ensure all payments are made by the beginning of October
- Introduce an energy price cap for Small and Medium Enterprises
- Bring in a further windfall tax and extend it to include all large businesses who made significant profits during the pandemic.
Allan Dorans MP said: “The UK Tory government must immediately come out of hiding and take urgent action to address spiralling energy costs - people cannot wait until the Tories have decided who their next leader will be.
“Any action must include scrapping the energy price cap, doubling the energy grant, bringing in an energy price cap for businesses, and implementing another broader windfall tax.”
He added: “I am urging Tory ministers to stop passing the buck and take responsibility for supporting people with their energy bills - otherwise millions will be pushed into, or further into, poverty and destitution, and lives could be lost.”
A recent study found that 72.8 per cent of those living in Scotland will fall into fuel poverty by January 2023 without further action from the UK government.
UK Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said he is “working flat out” to come up with more options to support people.
However, he conceded that the final decisions over support would ultimately lie with the next prime minister- either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
Mr Zahawi added: “I know the energy price cap announcement will cause stress and anxiety for many people, but help is coming with £400 off energy bills for all, the second instalment of a £650 payment for vulnerable households, and £300 for all pensioners.”
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