Last week, energy consultancy Cornwall Insights released their latest predictions which showed that a typical household will pay the equivalent of £3,582 p/a from October and £4,266 p/a from January. Energy costs have contributed to a cost-of-living crisis sparked by surging demand after the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This news has made people across the country anxious and worried about the winter ahead. In Cornwall, we have 17 council wards in the 20% most deprived in England, and we must not allow the cost-of-living crisis to widen regional inequalities in our region. Getting people in Cornwall through this winter must be the priority, and the Government must provide people with the reassurance they need about what will be done.
I want to reassure local people that the Government have already taken steps to help the lowest-income households through these extraordinary times. This includes reducing the Universal Credit taper rate, increasing the National Living Wage, freezing fuel duty for the twelfth consecutive year, and launching a £500 million Household Support Fund. In addition, the Government is offering a £150 cash rebate for homes in Council Tax bands A-D, equivalent to 80 per cent of all households, and £144 million of discretionary funding for local authorities to support those not eligible for the council tax rebate. This means that hard-working Cornish families will receive £550, with lower-income families receiving even more help.
Since Ofgem’s confirmation of the price cap rise in April, the Government has put forward an ambitious support package to help both lower and middle-income earners with the immediate adjustment. This includes a £400 grant for energy bills that will automatically be taken off energy bills from October, £150 for three million low-income households through the Warm Homes Discount to be taken off electricity bills, and between £100 and £300 for pensioners through the Winter Fuel Payments Scheme.
Following the latest energy price predictions, the Government is working on a package of cost-of-living support for the next prime minister. It is right that Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has said options to provide additional help to people to ease cost of living pressures will be ready to go on 5th September, when Parliament returns, so that either candidate can hit the ground running when elected. While I cannot speak for either candidate on their policies, it is reassuring that both have expressed they are fully committed to putting this issue at the top of their agenda. As the local MP, I will do all I can to press the Government to do all it can to support the people of Truro and Falmouth during this difficult time.
Longer term, we must look for solutions and we must look to producing energy domestically. Renewable energy is cheaper than gas and therefore is a better solution. The UK renewable capacity is up 500 per cent since 2010, with offshore wind having increased tenfold. The Government must build on these successes and remain committed to safeguarding and boosting domestically produced energy. I am pleased the Government has recently published its Energy Security Strategy, outlining how Britain will accelerate the deployment of wind, nuclear, solar and hydrogen power, while supporting the production of domestic oil and gas. It is brilliant that the Government sees Cornwall’s importance in the future of renewable energy, recognising the geothermal energy and lithium beneath our feet and floating offshore wind out in the Celtic Sea. I will continue to work hard along with my five Cornish MP colleagues to ensure we drive forward Cornwall's renewable energy ambitions.
For anyone concerned about affording their energy bills, I recommend contacting your supplier as soon as possible. They have to work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford under Ofgem rules. This includes reviewing a plan you have agreed before. You can ask for a review of your payments and debt repayments, access to hardship funds and Priority Service registration – a free support service if you are in a vulnerable situation.
As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.
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