Energy Bill will be a boost for South West households say Tories
The Conservative Party say that the Energy Bill which returns to Parliament today will save households in the South West up to £158 on their utility bills.
The bill which aims to help people switch to the cheapest tariff, reaches its report stage in the House of Commons today (Monday 3 June) and its third reading tomorrow (4 June).
The legislation follows David Cameron's announcement in parliament last October that the government would help customers by requiring energy companies to offer them the lowest tariff.
Tories argue that the Energy Bill is delivering on David Cameron’s promise to help families with the rising cost of living and that Labour's plans will cost households £61.
Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, said:
“Today’s Energy Bill will put cash back in your pocket. Hardworking families in Devon, Cornwall, and the South West will be able to save up to £158, by switching to the cheapest energy tariff, which our plans will give everyone the chance to do."
"Already, as a result of our policies, people are paying 5 per cent less on their gas and electricity bills than they would otherwise be."
The Tories claim:
- Today’s Energy Bill will save families in the South West up to £158 on their utility bills, by helping people to switch to the cheapest tariff.
- The most vulnerable households will see the greatest benefit.
- This is on top of the £64 average saving that householders have already seen so far, compared to Labour's plans.
According to the Tories, Labour’s planned scheme for utilities would mean an immediate rise in bills of £61 on average, for South Western homes.
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "Ed Miliband wants to hike bills by wasting money on a rebrand of the Ofgem regulator, and on reorganising the utilities market so that energy is "pooled" for auction: a policy that was abandoned by the Blair government because it drove up energy bills. Ed Miliband wants to see this scheme return, in addition to his planned £61 raid on your wallet."
Conservative MP for South West Devon, Gary Streeter told The Plymouth Daily: "People are struggling to pay their energy bills. I support the government's plans to force energy companies to offer the lowest tariff which will be of great help to my constituents."
Plymouth's local Labour MP and council leader are critical of Tory plans. Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View told The Plymouth Daily:
"The Conservative pledge that everyone will save as a result of the Energy Bill is lacking credibility.
"The Energy Bill is a missed opportunity to help hard-pressed bill-payers, to clean up our power system and to support local communities that want to generate their own power.
"David Cameron has broken his promise to put everyone on the cheapest tariff and the Energy Bill fails to protect consumers from rip-off energy bills.
"Nothing to reform the energy market to make it more competitive or transparent or break the stranglehold of the Big Six energy firms. Nothing to ensure the regulator has the teeth to protect consumers from the sharp practices and dodgy pricing tactics energy companies have used against their customers. Nothing to protect the most vulnerable customers from the threat of fuel poverty, for instance by require energy companies to put all over-75s on their cheapest tariff.
"In addition the Energy Bill’s failure to set a decarbonisation target will make it more difficult for Britain to build a clean, secure and affordable power supply for the future. Renewable energy businesses across the South West needed clarity and it isn’t forthcoming.
"Finally the Energy Bill fails to support community energy projects."
Plymouth's Labour City Council Leader, Tudor Evans added:
“Energy bills are soaring, up by almost £300 since this Tory-led Government came to power, adding to the rising cost of living that families across Plymouth are battling.
“The small print to the government’s claims reveals that the savings they predict are only true if people splash out thousands of pounds on new appliances such as TVs, fridge-freezers, washing machines, and gas-combi boilers.
“The Energy Bill was a real opportunity for the government to reform the energy market, to make it more competitive, transparent and to break the stranglehold of the Big Six energy firms. Yet it does nothing to help those worrying every time their bill hits the doormat.
“Instead, they have slashed the budget for helping fuel poor households with their energy bills, and when Warm Front ends this year this will be the first administration since the 1970s not to have a Government funded energy efficiency scheme. So do not let Conservatives tell you that they are proactively cutting your energy bills.
"Given the Tory-led Government's lack of leadership on making a real difference in fuel bills for local people, Plymouth City Council is taking action. We are pleased to be launching Plymouth Energy Community in early July - a new locally owned energy co-operative that will provide a switching service (with a focus on key meter users), energy efficiency measures and renewable production.
“By addressing these issues together we will cut fuel poverty and put power in the hands of people; a great example of a Labour initiative that will make a real difference to the people of Plymouth."
But Conservatives quote a number of sources to back their claims including the energy regulator Ofgem.
Their spokesperson said:"According to Ofgem our plans could save people £158. Ofgem has estimated as part of its Retail Market Review people can save up to £158 by switching to the cheapest tariff deal in the market for their bill payment method. Our plans will give everyone an opportunity to do this."
“You can’t trust Labour with your money." concludes Greg Barker.
He added: "On Ed Miliband's watch, electricity got 50 per cent more expensive and we saw the proliferation of a bewildering number of energy tariffs. The Labour leader just doesn’t get it. It's the same old Labour Party."
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