Labour’s inconvenient truth on energy prices

energyAs they say, actions speak louder than words. Despite all Labour’s rhetoric at their Party Conference and in the ensuing weeks in the House of Commons. Yesterday they tried to increase energy prices. Yes, you read it correctly – increase.

During the debate in the House of Lords on the Energy Bill, three Peers including Ed Miliband’s shadow Energy Minister Baroness Bryony Worthington proposed an amendment to bring forward the 2030 Decarbonisation target. Such a move, research has shown, could have added £125 to an average bill. Fortunately the vote was lost due to Conservative Peers helping to vote it down by a narrow margin of 14 votes.

It is worth remembering, under Labour (1997-2010) the average domestic gas bill more than doubled and Ed Miliband is still committed to the 2030 decarbonisation target and the increase in energy bills that would result.

Let us not forget also, that within 12 hours of his price freeze promise, Ed Miliband admitted that he would break his promise if wholesale prices rose. Energy companies would simply raise prices before and raise prices after the freeze to avoid it!

The Prime Minister meanwhile has a plan of action. This includes; (1) Ensuring energy companies put customers on the lowest possible tariff (2) Looking at rolling back the green levies that typically add £112 to an average bill (3) Opposing Labour’s 2030 decarbonisation £125 increase (4) Introduce a proper competition test to make sure the energy market is offering a good deal to the bill payer.

On a personal note. Does anyone remember how difficult it used to be to change energy supplier? After watching Watchdog, who did a piece on this issue. I went onto a price comparison website – I have switched supplier – will save around £100 on my household bills and a genuine freeze for the next year. Already the welcome pack from the new supplier has arrived.

Thank goodness we have a Conservative led Government!

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