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North Yorkshire Conservative Calls for Direct Targeted Energy Bill Help

Friday, 26 August 2022 06:00

By Matthew Pells with additional reporting from Stuart Minting, Local Democracy Reporter

Senior members of North Yorkshire's Conservative run council say they are becoming increasingly concerned about how the most vulnerable members of the community will cope financially ahead of OFGEM confirming October’s energy price cap today.

The Conservative Deputy Leader of North Yorkshire County Council has told the Conservative Party leadership candidates that direct targeted help will be needed to support residents through the energy cost crisis.

Councillor Gareth Dadd says the councils own budgets are under pressure and rising energy prices are putting pressure on households as well.

Demand for a support fund that provides help with living costs to vulnerable people in North Yorkshire has doubled in recent months.

North Yorkshire County Council’s Local Assistance Fund has seen a huge increase in calls for help and with energy bills expected to rise further, the Conservative deputy leader of the Council says that direct payments are going to be needed from the government to support the most vulnerable people.

Energy bills are forecast to top £5,300 annually in April next year, representing a huge increase from previous predictions.

Prime ministerial candidate frontrunner Liz Truss has promised an “emergency budget” if she is selected, saying she would reverse National Insurance rises and stop business tax hikes.

She has also suggested extra cash support may be available for families struggling with energy bills.

Meanwhile Rishi Sunak said he would prioritise tackling inflation and introduce more targeted support for households, pledging to reduce VAT on domestic energy bills.

Thirsk and Northallerton MP Kevin Hollinrake has appealed to Ms Truss to focus on supporting low-income households.

“These people are going to be on the streets,” Mr Hollinrake said.

A meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s executive heard its finance boss and deputy leader, Councillor Gareth Dadd, say while he remained confident the authority could rise to the challenge of tackling inflationary pressures, some residents would struggle.

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