The SNP has challenged Rishi Sunak to reintroduce a £400 energy bill rebate for households from October – warning “the UK government must not abandon families this winter”.
With typical energy bills still around double what they were in 2021, and the cost of living higher than it was last winter for many households after recent increases in mortgages, rents, bills and the cost of everyday goods, Stephen Flynn MP said reintroducing an energy bill rebate is ‘vital’ to help families with the cost of living.
The SNP Westminster Leader warned “Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are hammering household incomes with their reckless support for Brexit, austerity cuts and damaging Westminster policies that have sent the cost of living in the UK soaring” and said “the SNP is the only party demanding real help for families and a credible plan to reduce energy bills”.
It comes amid a growing backlash against increases in energy bill standing charges, and warnings that energy bills are likely to rise again this winter.
Average daily standing charges have increased by more than 60 per cent in the past two years adding an extra £300 to energy bills – meaning that families who try to reduce their usage, or even use no energy at all, are still being hit with increasingly exorbitant daily charges.
Meanwhile Cornwall Insights has warned energy bills could increase again this winter.
Typical household bills are still nearly double what they were in 2021 at £1,042/year compared to £1,923 following the most recent Ofgem energy price cap announcement.
Cornwall insights has warned they could rise again this January to £2,032.66.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said:
“Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are hammering household incomes with their reckless support for Brexit, austerity cuts and damaging Westminster policies that have sent the cost of living in the UK soaring through the roof.
“With energy bills still around double what they were in 2021, standing charges rising, and families struggling to cope with the growing cost of mortgages, rents and bills it’s vital the UK government brings back the £400 energy bill rebate from October.
“The UK government must not abandon families this winter but that is exactly what the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party are doing by imposing cuts and refusing to give struggling families the support they need.
“Scotland is an energy rich country and it’s a scandal that Westminster is forcing families to pay through the nose for a resource we have in plenty.
“The SNP is the only party demanding real help for families and a credible plan to reduce energy bills.
“At the general election, voting SNP is the only way to tackle the cost of living and secure a fairer and wealthier future with independence.”