ENERGY PRICES (No. 2)

Early day motion 764, tabled 23 January 2008 by Karen Buck (Labour). Signed by 26 members.

That this House notes with concern that a regional analysis of recent increases in energy prices indicates that London consumers are suffering larger proportionate increases than consumers in any other region in England, with an estimated 23.5 per cent. increase in gas prices and 22.1 per cent. in electricity prices, which are up to twice as high as those imposed on other areas; notes further that price rises announced by Npower introduce regional differentials in gas prices for the first time; recognises that there are no mechanisms within state benefits such as pensions, or within the tax credit system to assist low income households hit by regional differentials in costs; welcomes the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Chief Executive of Ofgem to look at the relationship between wholesale price movements for oil and gas and domestic retail prices; and requests both the Government and the energy regulator to urgently review the issue of regional price differentials and their impact upon people on fixed and low incomes.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.