Choice Between Heating and Eating for Many Say Lib Dems

12.52.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 20th Jan 2008

With one in five people in South East Cambridgeshire pensioners facing gas and electricity prices rising by up to a quarter, Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to protect those on local incomes from fuel poverty with greater help for home insulation.

They have made the call after Government figures show that rises in electricity and gas bills are set to wipe out the pensioners' winter fuel payment of up to £300.

The average UK yearly gas bill for those over 65 years of age has almost doubled over the last four years from £360 to £620.

And it will be even higher for the 20,000 pensioners living in South East Cambridgeshire as they face much higher regional prices.

"Elderly and disabled people and those with young children on low incomes are hardest hit by the fuel price hikes" said Jonathan Chatfield the Lib Dem's parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire.

"Its just not good enough to rely on the energy suppliers to provide support for the most needy.

"The Government has a duty to ensure those on low incomes are given support to properly insulate their homes.

"Many older people are currently paying to heat the great outdoors in addition to their own home.

"The Government needs to make sure people don't have to make a choice between heating and eating as fuel becomes more expensive."