Cancel energy rise - windfall tax now

Liberal Democrat Party Leader Sir Ed Davey has called for the October rise in energy bills to be halted and would levy a windfall tax on energy companies to pay for it.
In a poll a quarter of people said they would not put their heating on this winter.

Sir Ed called his proposed intervention costly and radical, but went on to declare that it is the only measure that would save many families from dire poverty this winter.

Local Liberal Democrats have praised Sir Ed for his leadership on the issue. Councillor Nick Cott the opposition leader on Newcastle City Council said, "This a brave but necessary step to take. Newcastle has higher than average levels of poverty and numbers of food banks. People will not have to choose between heating and eating this winter if the government supports Ed's proposal."
He continued, "There are many things the council could do to help out locally. For example it could open public buildings longer so that people can can sit in the warm and dry. Run more indoor events to attract people into community centres. Even putting a few extra seats in places like Eldon Square shopping centre would be something."

Councillor Cott also said that Local Liberal Democrats believe that the council could effect changes that would radically improve the lives and finances of many poorer households in the city, "In the medium term it could dramatically increase the home insulation programme. Plus of course give council houses more solar panels which would actually reduce bills for hard up tenants."

Sir Ed has also proposed doubling the Winter Fuel Allowance to £600 to help hard pressed pensioners and, increasing the Warm Homes Discount to extend it to those on Universal Credit but this would also help pensioners and those on a low income.
He said: "This is an emergency, and the government must step in now. Energy bills have already gone up by £700 this year, and Conservative ministers have barely lifted a finger to help. We simply cannot afford more inaction in the face of another even bigger rise in October."

Councillor Cott said, "This shows real leadership at a time when we really need it. The Tories are fighting among themselves. The Labour Party seems to have forgotten their roots and are trying to be a sort of tory-lite alternative instead of being radical and saying what needs to be said like Ed is doing."