The Liberal Democrats Cost of Living Package

The Liberal Democrats have set out a “cost of living rescue plan” that would save thousands of struggling families in South Cambridgeshire nearly £1,000 this year.

 It comes after Ofgem announced a crippling rise to people’s heating bills, with the energy price cap set to soar by 54% to £1,971 in April. 

 Energy bills for homeowners in South Cambridgeshire are forecast to soar by an estimated £670 per household in April, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats. Meanwhile, broadband bills are set to rise by 9.3% with inflation at its highest rate in almost thirty years. Food prices continue to rise with families paying more than ever for every day essentials.

 The Liberal Democrats have warned that Rishi Sunak's proposals to deal with soaring energy bills will just be "spreading the pain over the coming years" while clobbering local families with tax hikes.

The cost of living rescue package being proposed by South Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats includes taking £300 off struggling families’ heating bills by doubling and expanding the Warm Home Discount, funded through a “Robin Hood” tax on the super profits of oil and gas companies. The party would also scrap the planned National Insurance tax hike being introduced by the Conservatives in April, and ensure low-income families can access cheaper broadband deals.

 As many as 4,152 households in South Cambridgeshire would stand to benefit from the full package of support, saving them up to £975 each a year. More than 27,000 households would save up to £925 thanks to the scrapping of the National Insurance hike and the stealth tax on the income tax personal allowance.  Over 1,200 poorer pensioners would receive the expanded Warm Home Discount while 6,880 struggling families would gain access to cheaper broadband deals, helping them cope with the cost of living crisis.

In total, the package represents savings of £28,609,902 across South Cambridgeshire for more than 35,000 households feeling the pinch.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for South Cambridgeshire Pippa Heylings said:

“Energy bills are going through the roof, forcing families in our community to choose between eating and heating. But all the Conservatives are doing is clobbering people with an unfair tax hike and spreading the pain over the coming years.

“South Cambridgeshire deserves better than a Conservative MP out of touch with their constituents, more concerned with their own political career than helping families struggling to pay the bills.

“The Liberal Democrats’ cost of living rescue plan would wipe up to £1,000 off the bills of more than 35,000 families in South Cambridgeshire by scrapping April’s tax hike, offering support to the most vulnerable, and insulating homes to slash energy bills in the long term.

“We are fighting for a fair deal for people in our community who are being let down by a Conservative Government that is taking them for granted.”

Comparison between the Lib Dem package and Government support announced today