Council Leader responds to energy bills plan

Liberal Democrat Council Leader has cautiously welcomed the plans announced by the Prime Minister earlier today, whilst also hitting out at the PM for refusing to bring in a tougher windfall tax and expecting households to pick up the bill instead.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Leader of the City of York Council, commented:

“We welcome action to support people and businesses facing this unprecedented and disastrous energy crisis. The freeze in bills will not address the cost of living emergency facing people now, as this winter’s bills will still rise by more than £500, but it will hopefully halt the crisis from worsening.

“After months of calls for a plan to be introduced, it’s good to see that the Prime Minister has partly adopted the policy first developed by the Liberal Democrats to freeze energy bills – despite her outspoken opposition to the idea during the leadership contest.

“Whist this support is crucial, it should not be paid by taxpayers but rather by oil and gas companies making record profits. BP and Shell made nearly £30 billion in profits in the first two quarters of this year alone with far more excess profits rejected this year, yet Liz Truss is refusing to bring in a tougher windfall tax and expecting households to pick up the bill instead.

“Businesses will also no doubt welcome the cap on energy bills, but the lack of certainty over further help, such as a freeze on business rates, will not give much the reassurance they need now.

"This Government’s priority must be the protection of those struggling the most. A package of additional more targeted support for the most vulnerable needs to be brought in urgently to avert more people falling into poverty.”