DANNY Chambers, Liberal Democrat candidate for Winchester, is demanding the government cancel plans to hike the average household energy bill by £500 in April.

Mr Chambers recently visited Citizen's Advice in Winchester where he was told that there has been a huge surge in people requiring help with their energy bills.  

Lib Dems are calling for cuts to people's bills, combined with a new energy support package for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals across Hampshire.

Winchester’s Lib Dems have said new price hikes now will be a 'hammer blow' to families and businesses already struggling and that action is needed now to save people from a 'cost of living cliff-edge'.

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Mr Chambers said: “I visited Citizen’s Advice in Winchester recently. They told me that a huge number of people are coming to them for advice and support in managing the rising energy bills. I speak to people every day who are worried about the cost of living, especially electricity. The Conservatives’ plan to hike energy bills in April will come as a hammer blow to families in Winchester already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises. 

“With no plan to deal with this cost of living crisis this chaotic, out-of-touch Government is instead making it much worse because they just don’t get it.

“People need real support and that’s what the Liberal Democrats are calling for. 

“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.”