LABOUR’S pledge to cut energy bills was left in tatters today after regulator Ofgem announced consumers will be slapped with yet another increase in January.
The energy cap is set to rise by 1.2 per cent this winter, pushing the average household energy bill to £1,738.
It comes after the regulator imposed a 10 per cent rise last month, intensifying the financial strain on 6.5 million households already grappling with fuel poverty.
Warm This Winter warned that come next year, consumers will be paying 66 per cent more than when the energy crisis began in 2021.
Spokeswoman Caroline Simpson said: “We desperately need to get on with the job of ramping up our supply of homegrown, renewable energy, which is abundantly available to us on this windy island – and a properly funded programme of insulation and ventilation to upgrade our leaky homes.”
Labour blamed the Tories for having “trashed Britain’s energy security” through reckless decisions such as banning offshore wind.
The party promised its plans to deliver “clean” energy, which include investment in unproven technology such as carbon capture, will better protect consumers.
But Plaid Cymru highlighted that “many will be disappointed” by Labour’s failure to deliver on its promise.
During the election, Labour pledged to slash bills by £300 by 2030.
Plaid Cymru energy spokesperson in Westminster Llinos Medi said: “Wales is an energy rich nation. We produce twice as much electricity as we consume.
“Yet our communities suffer with sky-high energy bills with many living in fuel poverty.”
In light of the rises, the Scottish Greens called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to U-turn on the government's decision to means-test winter fuel payments for pensioners.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “With bills soaring and temperatures plummeting, this cut is becoming more callous with every passing day.
“People will die because of it.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the cuts were “endangering the welfare of the most vulnerable in society.”
The union chief reiterated calls for energy companies to be returned to public ownership.
“As a first step, the government needs to take a stake in the National Grid so it can be made to prioritise workers and communities, rather than growing its almost £5 billion in profits,” she added.
