Carmichael calls for government action on energy bills and Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated after energy price rise

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on the government to act on rising energy bills and to reinstate Winter Fuel Payments following Ofgem’s announcement that the energy price cap will rise again in January.

Ofgem announced today that the energy price cap will rise to £1,738 a year in January, following the previous 10% rise in October. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to cancel this rise in energy bills so that households don’t face even higher energy costs in the new year.

Mr Carmichael said:

“People in the Northern Isles should not have to face the prospect of once again having to fork out even more for their energy bills this winter, particularly as we face the farce of yet more constraint payments for energy producers not to generate power locally.

“I have heard already from countless people in the isles who are concerned about the cost of energy as we head into winter. For many pensioners here too, this price rise coincides with the cut to Winter Fuel Payments – bill rises and less support will leave many struggling to keep warm this winter.

“The government pledged to bring down energy bills. It is time for them to live up to their word and protect families and pensioners here in the isles this winter.”