Labour and the SNP should force action on energy bills - Mackintosh

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Sep 2008

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrats are campaigning for the Governments in Westminster and Holyrood and the energy companies to take action to help ordinary people and families struggling with higher energy bills. 

Experts attending an energy conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday 9 September all agreed that the era of cheap fuel is over and that many households were struggling with high gas and electricity bills and higher food prices.

Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh said: "Crippling increases in energy costs hit the poorest in our society hardest with increased gas and electricity bills and higher food prices. Governments have a responsibility to assist those most in need to meet increased bills. 

"The big energy companies, who supply us all with our gas and electricity, are going to make windfall profits of £9.5 billion as a result of the European Emissions Trading Scheme. Liberal Democrats believe it is perfectly reasonable to ask them to help people who might otherwise have to choose between heating and eating this winter.

"If the energy companies and the politicians in both Holyrood and Westminster work together they can really get something done to help people by investing in energy reduction schemes such as smart meters and home insulation.

"People across Edinburgh are telling me how difficult they are finding it to cope with ever escalating bills and I believe that we have to do something before the weather turns really bad in winter."