North East MPs have called for immediate action to help householders as an energy firm boss warns the UK faces a 'catastrophic winter' of skyrocketing bills.
EDF managing director Philippe Commaret said today (August 23) that half of UK households could be in fuel poverty in January as a result of soaring energy prices.
His comments came as the National Grid prepared to hold an exercise to test the resilience of the UK’s systems in the event of a gas supply emergency.
Consumers will find out on Friday how much the energy price cap will rise, with analysts expecting average annual bills to increase to more than £3,500.
Mr Commaret said EDF is launching a campaign to help customers cut bills with energy-saving measures, but the scale of the problem means further Government intervention is needed.
Read more: Man banned from keeping reptiles after dumping three snakes in bin outside school
He told the BBC: “We face, despite the support that the Government has already announced, a dramatic and catastrophic winter for our customers."
Energy prices are tipped to hit £3,554 from October, then rise to £4,650 from January.
So between October and April - which includes the coldest months - the average household will pay an equivalent £4,102 per year for their gas and electricity.
It would be a massive jump from today’s £1,971, which is already a record, and much higher than the £1,138 seen last winter.
No immediate extra help will be announced by Boris Johnson’s Government as major financial decisions are being postponed until either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak wins the Tory leadership contest - with the next Prime Minister due to be announced on September 5.
But North East Labour MPs say action is needed now and they are scathing of what they say is the Government's failure to deal with the crisis.
Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough, said: “The Government’s lack of action to tackle the cost of living crisis is devastating for families across the country.
"People are already feeling the impact of rising costs of fuel and food and things are only going to get worse as we head into winter.
"Immediate action is needed alongside longer term solutions to ease this crisis.”
His views were echoed by Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, who said the Conservatives have 'failed to prepare and refused to invest' during 12-years in power.
He added: "To make matters worse, while people are crying out for help in the face of this catastrophic rise in energy bills, the Conservatives are missing in action.
"The Prime Minister has clocked off and his zombie government do nothing."
Durham City Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy MP said the price forecasts were 'terrifying' and that it was difficult to comprehend the level of human suffering that soaring energy bills are set to cause this winter.
She added: "On the Tories' watch half of households in one of the richest countries in the world will be in fuel poverty this winter, choosing between heating and eating.
"People in the North East desperately need a Government on their side, and that is why Labour would freeze people's bills not their homes.”
Darlington's Conservative MP Peter Gibson acknowledged that the prospect of further energy cost increases is 'of serious concern' to people, adding: "Whilst the package of £37billion of support already announced - some of which has been delivered and some of which is still to come - may not be enough to fully insulate everyone from future increases, having met the Chancellor just last week on this issue I am confident that our new Prime Minister will bring forward further measures."
Richard Holden, Conservative MP for North West Durham, said his constituents were feeling the 'harsh impact' of the Ukraine war sending oil, gas and food prices soaring.
He said it was vital that the next Prime Minister provides support for all, via the temporary removal of VAT on energy and a substantial package for pensioners, families, low-paid workers and everyone struggling with their bills.
Mr Holden added: “But the vital thing that the next Prime Minister must do is long-term and threefold.
"Firstly to drive forward measures to increase energy security and domestic production: from increased renewables via offshore wind to pushing for further field exploration in the North Sea.
"Secondly, drive energy efficiency at an unprecedented rate.
"And finally to drive forward the broader industrial transformation of the next industrial revolution which should bring with it the benefits of opportunities for jobs and education that would begin that long-term mission to level up our country.”
Read next:
- Police want to trace these men after attack inside pub left victims with broken teeth
- Warning as shocking pictures show how kitchen fire ravaged North East family home
- Paddington Bear found almost 40 years ago ends up in the North East via Italy
If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here