Lib Dem plan could cut energy bills by £100 in Wokingham

Wokingham's Liberal Democrat MP Clive Jones has backed his party’s 'Essential Energy Guarantee,' which would give every household a basic energy allowance at a reduced rate covering half of average energy use.

The policy aims to reduce costs for daily needs such as heating and lighting.

Mr Jones said: "It’s a national scandal that 2,504 households in our area worry every day about keeping their homes warm.

"For too long, consecutive Conservative and Labour governments have relied on short-term solutions.

"The Liberal Democrat plans for an Essential Energy Guarantee is a permanent fix that ensures nobody has to choose between heating and eating, saving the average household in Wokingham £100 a year."

The scheme promises greater savings for those facing the most hardship, with the poorest 20 per cent of households projected to save around £140 annually.

Families with children would receive extra allowances, and vulnerable groups—including people with disabilities or on low incomes—would benefit from discounted rates on all their energy use.

The funding would come from reclaiming £5 billion in windfall profits from monopoly energy network operators.

Mr Jones said: "We would force energy network monopolies to pay back their billions in unexpected profits to fund this support.

"I challenge Labour's leadership contenders to back our proposal and finally give families in Wokingham the long-term energy security they deserve."

The policy forms part of a broader Liberal Democrat plan to halve energy bills within a decade.