Announcement comes as government statistics show 12,065 households in Peterborough are already defined as being in fuel poverty

Sir Keir Starmer today said Labour “wouldn’t let people pay a penny more” on their winter fuel bill as he unveiled the party’s plan to address the cost of living crisis.

The Labour leader said that the party’s plan to stop bills rising this winter would save the typical family £1,000 now, get energy costs under control for the future and help tackle inflation.

The latest government statistics show that 14.9 per cent of households in Peterborough are already in fuel poverty (12,065), compared to a national average of 13.2 per cent.

With forecasts suggesting the typical energy bill could rise to £3,500 in October, and more than £4,200 in January, even more families face struggling with energy bills.

Labour’s fully-funded £29bn plan would prevent the energy price cap rising through the winter, paid for by extra tax from oil and gas giants who are making eye-watering profits.

Freezing the price cap will bring inflation down by 4%, making future interest rate rises less likely and easing the burden on households and businesses.

Andrew Pakes, Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Peterborough commented:

“Thousands of families across Peterborough are already struggling with rising energy bills with many householders already cutting corners or taking on debt to make ends meet.

“The cost-of-living crisis is the biggest challenge facing the city. The reality is that for too many people bills are going up, prices are going up and wages are falling. No family should have to fear turning the heating on. This is a welcome proposal – stopping rise in energy bills. We need to get through this crisis together.

“Liz Truss has said her priority is protecting the excessive profits of the big energy companies, Labour’s priority is to tackle the energy rip-off and to provide the help the country needs to get us through this crisis.”

Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Britain’s cost of living crisis is getting worse, leaving people scared about how they’ll get through the winter. Labour’s plan to save households £1,000 this winter and invest in sustainable British energy to bring bills down in the long-term is a direct response to the national economic emergency that is leaving families fearing for the future.”