Lib Dem Leader urges action on energy bills

12.00.00am GMT Mon 10th Nov 2008

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group of Leeds City Council, Cllr Richard Brett (Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) has backed calls to change the way energy companies bill their customers.

The Liberal Democrats have called for energy companies to pass on wholesale price cuts to customers, as well as change billing rules meaning the first units of energy people use are no longer the most expensive.

They say essential energy usage should be the cheapest, meaning heavy users will pay more. This will be fairer and also help the environment, by encouraging people to use less.

Speaking on the announcement, Cllr Brett said:

"As a local ward councillor I often speak to residents that struggle to pay their bills. By making essential energy the cheapest to use it will mean those who use it conservatively will not face large bills.

"It will also encourage people to change their habits and hopefully think before leaving lights, the television or waste energy in other ways. I call on the government to make the energy companies change their charging structure, to help vulnerable people save money and protect the environment alike."