Politicians in Powys have clashed over the cost-of-living crisis after MPs voted not to reduce VAT on household energy bills.
The leader of the Powys Labour group, Matthew Dorrance slammed Brecon and Radnorshire’s MP Fay Jones who voted against the motion which Labour hoped would support families across the UK.
The MP, who also came under fire from the Welsh Liberal Democrats over the motion which she talked about on Twitter, has hit back at the two opposition parties who she accused of making “petty attacks” and being “purely interested” in kicking off their local election campaigns ahead of the May local elections.
Cllr Dorrance joined the rest of the Labour Party in criticising the Conservatives for “a decade of dither, delay and poor planning on Britain’s energy sector” as well as calling for a windfall tax on North Sea Oil and Gas to “stop energy bills rising over the next year”.
Cllr Matthew Dorrance said: “To address the immediate crisis, Labour would bring in fully-funded measures now to reduce the expected price rise in April – saving most households around £200 or more, but targeted extra support to the squeezed middle, pensioners and the lowest earners, receiving up to £600 off bills and preventing all of the increase in energy bills currently expected.
“Labour would pay for this with a one-off windfall tax on North Sea Oil and Gas producers who have profited from price rises.
“Highlighting how crucial it is to keep energy bills lower in future, Labour would make long term changes so that hard-working people are better off: Reduce Britain’s reliance on imported gas by accelerating home-grown renewables and new nuclear; make sure 19 million homes are warm and well-insulated, saving households an average of £400 a year on bills; and, regulate the market better, with a pledge to never again let energy companies play fast and loose with the rules.”
On Tuesday, January 11, MPs voted against Labour’s motion which called for the UK Government to cut the rate of VAT as soon as possible to help tackle to the cost-of-living crisis.
The motion was defeated in the House of Commons by 319 votes to 229 - a difference of 90 votes. All but one of the votes against the motion were from the Tories.
Labour has criticised the UK Government which it says failed to “meet the vast potential of British renewable and nuclear energy” as well as to make more homes “warm and well-insulated” and to properly regulate the energy market “leading to dozens of energy companies going bust”. The result, says Labour, is rapidly rising prices and an energy crisis hitting millions.
Welsh residents who are feeling the pinch will be able to receive help from the Welsh Government which has put in place a £50 million package to address pressures on living costs - including a £38 million winter fuel support scheme for low income households.The winter fuel support scheme will give eligible households a one off payment of £100 towards energy costs during the winter.
Ms Jones also faced criticism from the Welsh Liberal Democrats over a Tweet in which she gave her reasoning as to why she would not be voting in favour of the opposition’s motion.
Ms Jones tweeted on January 11: “Labour’s motion on household energy seeks to undermine our democracy. It makes a mockery of Parliament. Also, it would reduce your fuel bill by a couple of quid - even if you’re a millionaire. I won’t be voting for it.”
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have since accused Ms Jones of “displaying a callous and tone death attitude” towards people struggling with energy price increases.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Mid & West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds said: “The attitude displayed by Fay Jones over this issue comes across as callous and tone deaf.
“She should be more than aware Powys has one of the highest fuel poverty levels in Wales at 17 per cent. Research my Party uncovered has also shown it will be among the worst hit by price rises seeing an increase of £753 a year (or £62 a month) meaning Powys will see the 4th highest rises in Wales and 6th highest in the UK.
“Up and down her constituency, people, including the elderly, are really struggling to make ends meet and are often being forced to choose between heating and eating.
“Measures proposed by the Liberal Democrats would take £300 a year off the heating bills of around 7.5 million vulnerable and low-income households and be funded by a one-off tax on energy giant super-profits. It is not the case of a “few quid”.
“Even if this was the case, for many of Fay Jones’ constituents a “few quid” makes all the difference. Every single penny counts in households that are struggling.
“I am fundamentally disappointed to see Brecon & Radnorshire’s MP show such a lack of empathy, understanding and common sense over this issue.
“Clearly for some, protecting the profits of global energy giants is more important than stopping thousands slip into fuel poverty.”
Ms Jones has hit back at both the Welsh Labour councillor and Ms Dodds and said she feels it is sad that the opposition are “purely interested” in kicking off their campaigns ahead of the local election in May.
The Brecon and Radnorshire MP said: “Costs of living are rising, putting a squeeze on ordinary families. This is my main concern right now and it’s sad that the opposition are purely interested in kicking off their local elections campaigns.
“I attended the debate on Tuesday where I talked about the impact the cost of living crisis will have in rural communities like ours.
“Labour’s plans may knock a few quid off urban energy bills but will do nothing to help those who actually live in rural areas and are not on the gas grid.
“Oil deliveries are increasingly expensive and nowhere in Labour’s plans do they recognise that rural people have very different expenses - made worse by the decisions of the Labour Government in Cardiff. It’s interesting that Cllr Dorrance ignores his party’s own role here.
“The cost of living would gave overwhelmed many millions of families without measures like furlough, delivered by the Chancellor.
“But we know that things look set to get worse over the winter. This Government is putting its shoulder into helping those who are struggling.
“Over £1 billion is available to help people upgrade their heating systems. Cutting the Universal Credit taper is a tax cut for low income families. Boosting the living wage and investing in apprenticeships has led to unemployment being 2 million lower than previously expected.
“I speak to constituents far too regularly who worry about making a choice between heating and eating. This is far too important a topic to be distracted by petty attacks from the opposition.
“I’ll be meeting the chancellor again this week to encourage him to look at all options for reducing the pressure on hard-working ordinary families.”