THE Tory Government is coming under further pressure to reintroduce a £400 energy bill rebate this year after 10,000 people signed a petition calling for the move.
Ministers will now have to provide a response to the petition which SNP MP Drew Hendry says should serve as a “final warning” to the Chancellor and Prime Minister.
Citizens Advice has also called on the UK Government to expand the Warm Homes Discount this winter to assist with the record number of people with energy debts.
The organisation stressed that almost eight million people have had to borrow money to pay their energy bills in the first half of 2023, with predictions that this figure will rise in the coming months.
Hendry, who says the UK Government failed to answer his question on reintroducing the payment last month, said: “This online petition must act as a final warning to the UK Government.
Around 28 million households across the UK received a £66/£67 monthly discount on their energy bills between October 2022 and March 2023 under the scheme last winter.
Ofgem lowered the price cap from £2074 per year to £1923 on October 1, but the daily standing charges have gone up from 82p per day to 83p per day for gas and electricity, meaning most people will not feel any real benefit.
The petition reads: “Although energy prices are decreasing, they still remain well above normal levels. I believe the best course of action the UK Government can take is to reintroduce the Energy Bills Support Scheme for winter 2023/24 which was a massive help for households earlier this year.”
