Energy Crisis: Contact your MP to make a difference

Your Name
Address
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Your MP’s Name
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Dear XXXXX

I am calling on you to urge Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take further action to support the most vulnerable with rising energy bills this winter and next. National Energy Action estimates 6.7 million households are currently in the grip of fuel poverty following a 130% increase to gas prices over the last 18 months. The cost of living payments announced are insufficient and do not extend to high-usage, low-income households, including many with medical conditions.

Rising energy bills, historically high levels of inflation, higher rents and higher fuel prices mean millions of families are now struggling to afford the basics they need to live their lives and raise their children. Stories of elderly and vulnerable people taking desperate steps such as riding on buses or going to libraries to reduce their energy usage at home and keep warm are commonplace. People with medical conditions are scared they will not be able to keep their medical equipment running.

This should not be happening in the world’s fifth-largest economy.

I recognise that the government has extended the Energy Price Guarantee as well as payments to vulnerable households, however this winter, the government must ensure everyone can access the support they are entitled to. According to the government’s own statistics, 40% of the Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers for pre-payment customers have not been claimed. The government must also urgently ensure that households who do not automatically receive this support, or the Energy Price Guarantee, are given the routes to access the help that they are entitled to.

I am also asking you to urge the Prime Minister to work with the regulator Ofgem to make the retail energy market fairer for vulnerable households. Even with the Energy Price Guarantee, households who pay for their energy using a prepayment meter, or on receipt of bill pay a premium to do so. These additional costs for some of the most vulnerable households must be stopped. Once the Energy Price Guarantee ends after April 2024, there must be protections for low-income and vulnerable households through a new social tariff, providing a lower price of energy.

There is much more government can do on energy efficiency too. Reducing energy demand, while making homes warmer, is the best long-term solution to this crisis. The UK has the least efficient housing stock in Europe and research has shown that a failure to invest in energy efficiency to meet the scale of demand has added more than £2.5 billion to gas bills over the past decade. The Chancellor’s statement in November only committed new funding from 2025 onwards. I urge you to pressure the Prime Minister to expand the current energy efficiency schemes and meet the Conservative Party 2019 Manifesto commitment of £9.2 billion on energy efficiency. This includes the vital £2.5 billion pledged in this parliament for the Home Upgrade Grant to insulate fuel-poor homes off the gas grid, of which only £1.1 billion has been committed to date. This will help to reduce bills, contribute to our net-zero target and wean the UK off expensive Russian gas.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I hope you can support with these vital issues.

Yours sincerely,

Your Name