Duncan Hames, prospective Lib Dem MP for Chippenham has used the platform of the Lib Dem party conference this weekend, to highlight the issue of rising energy prices across the country.
In a speech from the main stage on Sunday morning, Duncan Hames spoke of the rip-off for customers buying energy through a pre-pay meter, and the affect this can have on the lives of local families enduring fuel poverty.
The speech was part of the Urgent Issue debate tabled by Duncan Hames, and included a speech by Northavon MP Steve Webb.
During his speech, Duncan spoke about how one-in-ten people are being ripped off by the ‘Big Six’ energy companies, just because they have a pre-pay meter. The average extra cost incurred is a shocking £255 per year.
Duncan also praised the achievement of the Chippenham based company Good-Energy (which supplies the Liberal Democrats head-quarters in London with 100% renewable energy), for defying the odds to compete against the big firms.
Commenting after the debate, Duncan said: “This is an issue that will not go away unless we speak up. Millions of the most vulnerable people are paying hundreds of pounds extra every year, just because they pay in advance. This is outrageous.”
