'Rising energy bills will be very worrying for residents' says MP who throws Government scheme into question
A county MP has called for clarity on energy bill support, throwing a Government scheme into question.
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South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson has questioned the Government's plan to extend support with energy bills to an extra 2.7 million households.
It comes as Government advisors have concluded that it could cost the average billpayer £37 each year.
In February, the Government announced an extension of the 'Warm Home Discount' (WHD) would give households a helping hand with increased energy costs. But, the Committee on Fuel Poverty (CFP) has found it could increase bills by an extra £15 each year.
It stated: "The net benefit to households already in receipt of the discount could be reduced, because all households pay the levy cost regardless of whether they are recipients of the discount.
"The WHD scheme is funded by energy bill payers and the consultation acknowledges that based on estimated 6.1 million recipients, with the rebate held at £150 it would cost the average dual fuel billpayer around £37, an increase of £15 on the current scheme."
Mr Anderson has called for Ministers to clarify how they will offset the extra cost for consumers.
His call comes after the energy price cap increased by 6.4 per cent in April, resulting in a rise of £111 to an average annual bill of £1,849 for 22 million customers across England, Wales, and Scotland.
The South Shropshire MP has also renewed calls for the Government to reinstate winter fuel payments for pensioners.
He states that 9,351 households are in fuel poverty across South Shropshire including almost a third of people living in Clun.
Stuart Anderson MP said: "Rising utility prices including energy bills will be very worrying for residents across South Shropshire, costing the average family an extra £1,191 this year. Now, it has been revealed that the government's botched energy support plans could cost households an extra £15 each year.
"When this is combined with an increased energy price cap, any extra help will be immediately eaten up. Ministers need to clarify how they will offset the extra costs involved and deliver cheaper energy bills in the longer-term - including by reinstating winter fuel payments to help vulnerable pensioners in South Shropshire."
