'Hammer blow' - Lib Dems slam Jeremy Hunt's energy plans

Paul Hodgkinson, the Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary candidate for the area, has shared his thoughts on the Spring Budget.

In his first budget as Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt confirmed the UK Government’s energy price guarantee, which caps average household bills at £2,500, will be extended at its current level from April to June.

However, councillor Hodgkinson feels this is not enough, with the average household’s energy bill now double what it was in April 2021.

“The Government’s choice to hike energy bills will come as a hammer blow to families in the Cotswolds already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises,” he said.

“These plans will push more families into fuel poverty, while oil and gas companies making record profits are let off the hook.”

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the Spring Budget last week

READ MORE: A guide to what was announced in the Budget and what it means for you

Mr Hodgkinson has also slammed the decision to end the £400 grants for bills which households received this winter through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

In response, the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor to cut the Energy Price Guarantee by £500 per household, funded through a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies.

This would mean average bills would drop to £1,971 a year, with the support in place until next April.

The party is also calling extra targeted support for the least well-off households, including doubling the Warm Homes Discount to £300.

Analysis from the Lib Dems based on local electricity and gas consumption statistics show that households in the Cotswold district would save an average of £383.64 each under these plans.

This would mean total savings of £14,870,000 for local families.

Mr Hodgkinson added: “In these tough times, local people deserve a proper plan to tackle this cost-of-living crisis. That means a proper windfall tax, a £500 cut to energy bills and investment in our local health services.”

Cotswold MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has welcomed the Chancellor's budget, noting the plans for childcare support and £7 million in funding for Gloucestershire.

He said: “I welcome the Government’s £94 billion cost of living package and the extension of the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee which will help everyone with their energy bills, overall, these budget announcements provide an average of over £3,300 in cost-of-living support for every household in the country.  

“Also announced was the extension of childcare to 30 hours per week for working parents, a £25 billion three-year tax cut for business investment, the freezing of fuel duty saving drivers an average of around £200, and the establishment of a new universal support programme for disabled people and the long-term sick.  

“Nearly £4 million will be made available to fix potholes in Gloucestershire and the household support fund has been extended with over £7 million of funding secured for the county.  

“I recognise that people have had a very tough winter with the cost-of-living crisis, but the measures outlined above will help cushion the financial impacts. We are heading towards a much more stable place with energy, food, and utility bills which will help every person and business. All in all, this a budget that will help everyone.”