Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond hails Liz Truss' energy plan as 'decisive and pragmatic'. This was published in the Hampshire Chronicle: https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/21473969.meon-valley-mp-flick…
MP for Meon Valley Flick Drummond has praised new Prime Minister Liz Tuss' plan to shield households and firms from energy price crisis.
Energy bills for the average household will be frozen at no more than £2,500 and businesses will be spared crippling increases, it was announced earlier this month, as Ms Truss took action to shield Britons from the global gas crisis.
The Prime Minister’s two-year plan paid for by tens of billions of pounds of borrowing will save the typical household around £1,000 from October and protect billpayers from further expected rises over the coming months.
For businesses and other non-domestic users such as schools and hospitals, which have not been covered by the existing price cap, a six-month scheme will offer equivalent support.
After that there will be ongoing support for the most vulnerable industries, with a review in three months’ time to decide where the help should be targeted.
The plan will see the Government limit the price suppliers can charge customers for units of gas, replacing the existing price cap set by regulator Ofgem.
Ministers will provide energy suppliers with the difference between the new, lower price and what they would charge were this not in place.
Critics have said the PM's plan won't help families with rising inflation, saying it “offers nothing further” to help with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
However, Conservative MP Ms Drummond described the move as "decisive" and "pragmatic".
She said: "This was a decisive and pragmatic intervention by the new Prime Minister to give relief and certainty to households and businesses across the country who have been incredibly worried about how they will pay their energy bills this winter.
"The £2500 cap is the balance that had to be made between supporting the country but making sure the debt burden is not too much and we can look to invest in and grow the economy.
"To do nothing was not an option. This is the compromise and an extremely helpful one.
"In addition, support for those in rural constituencies like mine who use heating oil is very welcome too.
"We have a government fully aware of the challenges and fully committed to improving our energy security. It is right to look to oil, gas, fracking and increased renewables and new nuclear to meet our needs in this moment of an energy emergency and in the longer term.
"As I have said before all governments of all colours over many decades have failed to secure our energy security. Action is now being taken while our net zero commitments remain.
"Naturally, I am concerned about the cost especially following a pandemic but further measures to grow the economy will help pay for this support.
"This has been a good start by the new PM. She has grasped the issues and made difficult decisions in good order."
