Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said today that Labour “wouldn’t let people pay a penny more” on their winter fuel bill as the party press home their plan to address the Tory cost of living crisis.
Karin Smyth said that the party’s plan to stop bills rising this winter would save the average household in Bristol South £1,000, get energy costs under control for the future and help tackle inflation.
Labour’s fully-funded £29bn plan would prevent the energy price cap rising through the winter, paid for by an extra tax from oil and gas giants who are making eye-watering profits. It means that households across Bristol South will save £49 million from Labour’s fully costed plan.
The emergency package announced by Labour leader Keir Starmer on Monday 15 August, would also reduce energy demand and lower bills in the longer term in Bristol South by insulating 19 million homes across the country over the next decade through Labour’s Warm Homes Plan.
Labour originally urged the government to implement this Warm Homes Plan a year ago. If they’d acted, they could have insulated 2 million of the coldest homes by this winter – saving the typical household an additional £1,000 every year on their energy bills.
Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said:
“Britain’s cost of living crisis is getting worse, with many people in Bristol South scared about how they’ll get through the winter. 12 years of Tory Government has failed to prepare and refused to invest properly in home-grown energy and insulation schemes. This has left us vulnerable to soaring bills. This is a national emergency which needs urgent action.
“Labour’s fully-funded plan would stop bills from rising further this winter and save households in Bristol South £1,000 by preventing the energy price cap rise and investing in sustainable energy, whilst also investing in measures such as the Warmers Homes Scheme.
“This will save people money now and in the future, helping people get through the winter while providing the foundations for a stronger, more secure economy. Only Labour has a plan to give Britain the fresh start it needs.”