The Liberal Democrat candidate for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, Danny Chambers, has called on the Government to spare local people from soaring energy bills by cancelling October’s price cap increase, accusing Conservatives of “stalling in the face of a national emergency”.

The plan would save a typical household in Winchester an extra £1,830 a year. The 70 per cent increase in the energy price cap expected to be announced by Ofgem later this month would be cancelled, with the Government instead paying the shortfall to energy suppliers so that they can afford to supply customers at the current rates.

This would mean a total estimated saving for households in Winchester of £87.3m off their electricity and gas bills.

The Liberal Democrats say the estimated £36 billion cost should be met by expanding the windfall tax on oil and gas company profits, and using the Government’s higher-than-expected VAT revenues as a result of soaring inflation.

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The party is also calling for more targeted support for vulnerable and low income households. This would include doubling the Warm Homes Discount to £300 and extending it to all those on Universal Credit and Pension Credit, while investing in insulating fuel poor homes to bring prices down in the long term.

Mr Chambers, said: “People are struggling to make ends meet and need a lifeline if they are to get through this frightening hike in energy bills.

“This Conservative Government is stalling in the face of a national emergency and, yet again, is simply not doing enough to put money back in the pockets of hard-working people. 

“Countless families and pensioners are already struggling, and they cannot wait for a new Conservative leader to act. We need urgent action now.”