Enough with the grandstanding, let's get serious about affordable energy for families

I was talking to my neighbour the other day, bless her, she's a single mum working part-time at the local post office. She's absolutely terrified about her energy bill this winter. She’s already cutting back on everything, but she’s got two kids and there’s only so much you can do. It’s not right that people are having to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families in this country.

We need a proper strategy, not just more promises. My proposal is to create a dedicated Energy Affordability Fund, financed by a windfall tax specifically on the excessive profits currently being made by the big energy companies. This fund would then provide direct, targeted support to households struggling the most, particularly those on lower incomes, pensioners, and families with young children. It’s not about punishing success, it’s about ensuring basic necessities are met.