On a visit to County Durham he is expected to say the Government should “at the very least” cancel the rise in energy bills for pensioners who lost the state support.
He will be joined by Lib Dem Cllr Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, who says she is “dismayed that Labour betrayed our pensioners this way”.
It comes as research by the party estimated 102,000 pensioners across the county lost out on the winter fuel payment of up to £300 this year after Labour scrapped it for those not on pension credit shortly after coming to power in a move widely criticised at the time.
Households are facing on average an £111 increase in energy bills after regulator Ofgem confirmed last month the price cap will rise by 6.4% in April. It means for the average household on a standard variable tariff prices will go from the current £1,738 a year to £1,849, after a recent spike in wholesale prices.
Sir Ed said: “The least we can do for the most vulnerable in our society is to scrap the energy price rise for those pensioners who have had their winter fuel payment taken away. Inaction is not an option.
“Scrapping the winter fuel payment was a callous and heartless move by the Labour government. I am deeply disappointed they ignored our calls to stop and re-think the policy and I’m disheartened they simply went ahead anyway.
“We have some of the lowest pensions in Europe and it’s so sad to think of pensioners needing to choose between eating or heating their homes.”
The Government said last month about 2.7 million more households would be eligible for a £150 one-off discount on their electric bill through the Warm Home Discount next winter. The scheme sees the amount knocked directly off bills by suppliers to anyone eligible, including those on low incomes with high bills and OAPs receiving pension credit.
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Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Lib Dem leader of Durham County Council added: “I’m dismayed that Labour betrayed our pensioners in this way.
Liberal Democrats polling recently found nine in ten UK adults who are worried about the cost of heating have changed how they heat their homes this winter to help cut bills.
