Claire Young backs Lib Dem plan to halve energy bills in a decade

Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young has backed their party’s new plan to halve the cost of energy bills for a typical household, while also accusing Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch of peddling “fake news” about renewable energy. 

The plan, launched by Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey in a major speech this week, includes breaking the link between gas prices and electricity prices, so that people can enjoy clean, cheap power.

At present, the cost of electricity is set by the price of gas 97% of the time - even though half of our electricity comes from renewables, which are much cheaper than gas. The party’s proposals would slash a typical household’s energy bills by £870 by 2035, down from £1,720 currently.

A key part of the proposal is moving older, expensive renewable projects to cheaper Contracts for Difference – which were pioneered by Ed Davey when he was Energy Secretary. It is estimated by experts that this alone could cut bills by about £200 a year.

Claire Young is also calling for investment into both renewable energy generation and home insulation to be accelerated, while also condemning Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage for spreading “fake news” about renewable energy.

Commenting, Ms Young said:

“Families across Thornbury & Yate are facing sky high bills that are more than £50 a month higher than they were just five years ago. After years of neglect and inaction from both Labour and the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats have set out a plan that could halve the cost of energy bills over the coming years.

“By breaking the link between gas prices and energy costs, people can enjoy the true benefits of cheap, clean, renewable power. This will deliver real help to those struggling and, paired with an ambitious and expanded home insulation scheme, will mean people no longer have to dread their energy bill landing on their doormat.

“We also must combat the worrying level of fake news being peddled by Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch when it comes to renewables. Recent record high gas prices show their plan to keep us hooked on fossil fuels is not some silver bullet that will bring down bills. In fact, tying ourselves ever more to them only benefits foreign dictators like Vladimir Putin. 

“The Liberal Democrats are standing up for our community and have a bold plan that will actually cut bills for everyone - now the Government needs to act and put it into action.”