Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has called for the Government to cancel the planned £500 increase to the average annual household energy bill this April.
Along with the Liberal Democrat party, the MP is calling for a cut to bills, combined with a new energy support package for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals across Bath.
In April, the energy price guarantee will be increased by £500, from £2,500 to £3,000 per year.
Mrs Hobhouse said new price hikes now will be a “hammer blow” to families and businesses already struggling, and that action is needed to save people from a cost of living “cliff-edge”.
The MP, who is also the Liberal Democrat Climate and Energy Spokesperson, said: “The Conservatives’ plan to hike energy bills in April will come as a hammer blow to families in Bath already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises.
“With no plan to deal with this cost of living crisis for people or businesses, this chaotic, out-of-touch Government is instead making it much worse because they just do not get it.
“People need real support and that is what the Liberal Democrats are calling for.
“Sadly, to add insult to injury Rishi Sunak is happy for energy bosses to rake in millions of pounds in bonuses, while families struggle to put food on the table or heat their homes.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey added: “Rishi Sunak must act now to save families from a cost-of-living cliff edge, by cutting energy bills instead of increasing them.
“People deserve a fair deal – with a large cut to their energy bills, paid for by a proper windfall tax and a one-off levy on the bonuses of oil and gas bosses.”
