Powys families are ‘genuinely frightened’ about the cost of heating their homes, says MP
Powys families are ‘genuinely frightened’ about the cost of heating their homes, says Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick
In recent weeks, I have heard from countless constituents who are genuinely frightened about the cost of heating their homes.
For families across Mid Wales, this is a very real fear about whether they can afford to keep warm.
Nearly 19,000 households in our constituency are off the gas grid, relying on heating oil or LPG. Across Powys, around 55% of homes have no connection to mains gas at all. That leaves our communities completely exposed when global energy prices rise, as they are doing now following growing instability in the Middle East.
I have raised this directly in Parliament, pressing the Chancellor on what support will be available for off-grid households. The answer was not reassuring. After the last energy crisis, the Government had to be dragged into providing help for heating oil customers. It is deeply disappointing that ministers still appear to have learned nothing from that experience and made no preparations for the next shock.
The Government's latest announcement falls well short of what is needed. A selective, one-off payment does nothing to protect families from repeated price rises or the volatility of global energy markets. Households connected to the gas grid have the protection of the Ofgem price cap; rural families don’t have the same luxury.
That is why I have written to ministers calling for urgent action, including a temporary VAT holiday on heating oil and LPG and a proper price cap to stop excessive costs being passed on to consumers. These are practical steps that would give families real security and peace of mind.
Rural communities like ours have been treated as an afterthought for too long. I will not stop pressing the Government until families across Mid Wales get the same protections as everyone else.
If you or your family have been affected by these rising costs, or if I can help in any way, please get in touch at [email protected] or on 01792 316380.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick
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