Lib Dem leader Ed Davey to visit County Durham today
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey is visiting County Durham later today - where he's expected to call for action to be taken to cut the energy bill rise
Last updated 1st May 2025
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey is visiting County Durham later today - where he's expected to call for action to be taken to cut the energy bill rise.
He's asking the Government to stop pensioners being hit by the rise next month.
It's after Lib Dem research found over 100 000 pensioners in the county missed out on winter fuel payments after Labour cut the allowance.
Sir Ed will be meeting Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Lib Dem leader of Durham County Council, and will urge the Government to “at the very least” cancel the energy price rise for pensioners affected.
Energy regulator Ofgem confirmed in April that the price cap for energy bills is set to rise a further 6.4%, the third consecutive quarter where prices have risen.
A recent poll by the Liberal Democrats found nine in ten UK adults who are worried about the cost of heating have changed how they heat their homes this winter, to help cut bills.
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:
“Scrapping the winter fuel payment was a callous and heartless move by the Labour government. I am deeply disappointed they ignored our calls to stop and re-think the policy and I’m disheartened they simply went ahead anyway.
“We have some of the lowest pensions in Europe and it’s so sad to think of pensioners needing to choose between eating or heating their homes.
“The least we can do for the most vulnerable in our society is to scrap the energy price rise for those pensioners who have had their winter fuel payment taken away. Inaction is not an option.”
Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Lib Dem leader of Durham County Council added:
“I’m dismayed that Labour betrayed our pensioners in this way.
“I’m proud that at Durham County Council we passed a motion calling on this cut to be reversed.
“I’m joining Ed in calling for the energy price rise to be scrapped for all those pensioners hit by the cut in County Durham and across the country.”