Energy prices

That this House reaffirms its belief in the fundamental right to a warm home; recognises that millions of households are grappling with soaring energy prices; acknowledges the recent findings of the trade association Energy UK that prices could rise by between 45 to 50 per cent. by spring 2022; notes with concern National Energy Action’s warning that a further two million households could, as a result, slip into fuel poverty, bringing the total number of people living in fuel poverty to the highest levels since records began; recognises that rising energy prices are contributing to a spiralling cost of living crisis; believes that Government interventions to date have failed to address the scale of this challenge or give essential protections to those most at risk; calls for urgent action to address this crisis in the short-term, including removing the 5 per cent. VAT rate on energy bills and greater financial assistance for low-income households; is convinced of the necessity of wholescale reform of the energy sector; believes that in the long-term public ownership has an essential role to play in building a fairer, greener sector as well as in reducing foreign energy dependence; further notes that the nationalisation of the energy system commands broad public support; and calls upon the Government to bring the energy sector into public hands.