'Local Liberal Democrats are calling on Medway Council for a local Cost-of-Living Emergency Summit'

• On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent. This has increased the average energy bill by £693 a year.

• In October the energy price cap is due to rise again - increasing average energy bills by over £1400 a year.

We recognise the decision taken in June 2022 to impose a Windfall Tax on the profits of giant oil and gas companies. This will be used to fund a £400 reduction in energy bills in late 2022 / early 2023 - a policy first raised by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.

Ed Davey became the first major party leader to call for October's energy price cap rise to be scrapped, and for a further Windfall Tax to be imposed on gas and oil giants. This measure would save the average household in Medway £1400.

There are numerous ways in which both National and Local Government can provide support to local people to ease the burden of rising prices. Medway Liberal Democrats are urging Medway Council to call on the Government to:

• Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20 per cent to 17.5 per cent for one year, saving the average household in Medway a further £600 this year

• Immediately re-introduce the pensions triple lock to support Medway's pensioners, rather than wait until next Spring, saving elderly residents an additional £300.

• Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021.

• Extend Fuel Duty Relief to cover Medway's rural areas and double it to save local people 10p per litre on petrol.

Stuart Bourne, spokesperson for Medway Liberal Democrats said, "Crucially, Medway Liberal Democrats are calling on the Council for a local Cost-of-Living Emergency Summit, with stakeholders, including Citizens Advice, Food Banks, Local Trades Unions, and Chambers of Commerce and our local MPs to explore how more local help can be provided for those struggling with the cost of living - including extending the use of discretionary payments.

We are urging Medway Council's Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express demands for the October energy price cap rise to be cancelled, VAT to be cut to 17.5%, the pensions triple-lock to be re-introduced and the £20 Universal Credit supplement to be restored. As well as the extension of fuel duty relief to Medway's rural areas."

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Sources for localised figures

• Localised figures for each Local Authority area on the average cost of the planned October energy price cap rise can be found here.