UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Over 100 Labour MPs urge Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to reform standing charges and adopt fairer energy tariffs for struggling families.
As reported by The Guardian, Labour MPs have urged Ed Miliband to push for bold energy reforms to ease costs for vulnerable, low-usage households.
The energy secretary is reportedly reviewing measures to make energy pricing fairer. These include cutting standing charges and introducing rising block tariffs that benefit low-usage households.
The initiative is part of a broader campaign by a fresh group of Labour MPs calling on ministers to take urgent steps to prioritise the cost of living.
What did Dr Sandher say about energy bill fairness?
Dr Jeevun Sandher, who heads the Living Standards Coalition, called on Ed Miliband to consider a major reform of the standing charge.
He argued that low-income families with minimal energy use are being unfairly charged more than high-usage consumers.
Mr Sandher said,
“Getting living standards rising is core to our Labour values and is the number one issue on which voters will judge this government. Getting these bills down quickly will make families better off. It’s why our party was founded, it is why we were elected last year.”
103 Labour MPs letter to Ed Miliband
In their letter to Ed Miliband, 103 MPs warned that UK households face some of the highest energy bills in Europe. They urged the government to take urgent action to cut costs.
It stated,
“We strongly support policies that will get energy bills down immediately so our constituents will feel the benefits of a Labour government as quickly as possible. Our constituents rank getting energy bills down as the No 1 way to improve their cost of living. For the poorest households, £1 in every £10 goes on paying their energy bills.”
The MPs called on the energy secretary to consider a more progressive pricing system aimed at helping lower-income households. They recommended starting with reforming the standing charge, which takes up a larger share of income for poorer families.
The letter suggested MPs propose a pricing model in which energy becomes more expensive the more it is used. It argued the system could lower bills for families with modest energy needs.
What did Labour MPs say about green levies on business?
The group that wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week declared strong support for net zero policies. But some Labour MPs have voiced concern over the party’s pledge to ban new fossil fuel projects.
Urging a review of costs, Labour MPs Henry Tufnell and Melanie Onn pressed the government to reconsider green levies on businesses. Both are members of the Commission for Carbon Competitiveness.
Luke Murphy’s stance on fossil fuels and energy costs
Luke Murphy, the MP for Basingstoke and a member of the energy and net zero select committee, rejected fossil fuels as a viable path forward. He said the government must shift its focus to clean energy solutions.
He stated,
“The high energy costs which we inherited from the Conservatives are a barrier to higher growth and living standards. Yet the Conservatives and Reform want to make us more reliant on fossil fuels, which are the main cause for high and volatile energy bills.”
Mr Murphy added,
“The government must instead continue to drive towards clean energy 2030, which will lower bills for good and focus on reforms that will also bring bills down in the near term. This should include looking at the role of smart energy market reform, a social tariff, reforming standing charges, and reforming regressive levies.”
Labour growth group’s views on green policies
The Labour Growth Group urged the government to adopt more radical policies on housing and infrastructure, arguing that only bold action could ensure long-term economic stability.
The group slammed the planning bill concessions, insisting growth must come first and mayors need stronger tax powers.
UK net zero goal
- Emissions cut: UK has cut emissions by 50.4% since 1990; 2.5% in 2024 alone.
- 2030 goal: Aims for 68% cut by 2030, but only 38% has solid policy backing.
- Net zero economy: Adds £83.1bn yearly; each £1 brings £1.89 in extra value.
- Sector issues: Aviation now emits more than power; only 1% homes use heat pumps.