When I am talking to people, the same issue comes up again and again. Energy bills. Whether heating oil, central heating, or filling up the car, prices are going up. Businesses small and large are facing the same pressures as families.
So after the major spikes in prices, I am pleased that Norfolk County Council’s Heating Oil Crisis Fund has now launched. Support will be focused on those most in need who without help would be without heating and hot water. Residents can apply through the council's website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/HeatingOil or by calling 0344 800 8020.
Of course, as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine showed, international factors play a major role in energy costs and the conflict in the Middle East is now pushing up prices here.
But while we cannot control the global price of energy, the government can control what is added on top and make a difference to ease the burdens on families and firms.
Before the general election Labour promised to cut everyone’s energy bills by £300. Instead, bills are higher now than there were then – and after the current price cap is revised in July they are expected to go up even more. Our electricity prices are some of the highest in the world. This is not sustainable.
So what is the answer? Well, a large part of energy bills comes from taxes, levies and policy costs. VAT is charged at 5 per cent on bills. By removing these costs the Conservative Cheap Power Plan would bring electricity bills down. We would scrap VAT on household energy bills for the next three years, axe carbon taxes, and Ed Miliband’s levies.
Taken together this is a practical plan that could be implemented now to cut the average household energy bill by £200. By cutting the cost of government schemes and taxes we can cut high energy prices, rather than borrowing billions to fund major handouts to pay for people’s bills.
At the same time, we need to strengthen our energy security. That means supporting more UK energy production in the North Sea. It makes no sense to block new fields that would support thousands of jobs, generate billions in extra tax, and provide more of our own gas – instead we are choosing to import gas from Norway extracted from the same part of the North Sea or LNG from Qatar with a higher carbon footprint. That is the Labour government’s policy. Hopefully, after campaigning by my party they will reverse it and approve licenses for the new Jackdaw and Rosebank gas and oil fields.
Fuel costs too have risen significantly in recent weeks. In our rural area having a car is a necessity for many and we should be reducing the burden on those who have to drive. Today, 50 per cent of the cost of filling up goes in tax. Incredibly the Chancellor is planning to increase fuel duty by 5p a litre from September – the first increase after 14 years of frozen duty under the last Conservative government. This is the wrong choice which will hit families and businesses.
That’s why before the Easter recess, we forced a vote in Parliament on our plans to cut bills. Labour MPs voted against it. Liberal Democrat and Reform MPs did not bother to vote to help households.
While others choose not to act, our plan will get Britain working again by cutting high energy costs facing families whilst supporting British industry to create jobs, expand and create a stronger economy.
