New PM Truss must act now to freeze energy bills, says Carmichael 

The newly elected Conservative leader Liz Truss has been called on to immediately freeze energy bills in order to protect local families and businesses from soaring prices.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats have tabled legislation in Parliament this week to cancel October’s energy bill rise, which the party say will save the average household around £1,500 this year.

The draft bill would also offer grants to small businesses of up to £50,000 to cover 80 per cent of their energy bills, saving pubs, restaurants and high street shops from closing their doors this winter.

MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, said:  “Liz Truss and the Conservatives have spent months sitting on their hands and failing to act on soaring energy bills, leaving local people in despair and small businesses going to the wall. Now that Truss has been confirmed as the incoming Prime Minister there really is no more excuse for inaction.

“It is time that Conservative MPs finally listened to Liberal Democrat calls to freeze energy bills to save families and pensioners from an economic catastrophe this winter. We have tabled a Bill to freeze energy bills, which could be brought in on day one to offer the help that local families and businesses need. There is no time left for Truss and her government to wait.”