This week brings some welcome news for households across West Cumbria. Government action has led to a cut in the energy price cap, which came into force on 1st April, meaning lower bills for all families on mains electricity and gas – saving the average household around £150.
This protects your bills for the next three months from rising costs as a result of the US/Israeli war in the Middle East.
Alongside that blanket support, additional targeted help is now available for those who rely on heating oil, thanks to £370,000 from the Government for Cumberland Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund. Around 1,000 families most in need will be able to access hundreds of pounds to pay for heating oil.
This is part of a bigger picture too. With this additional funding, the Government is providing £4.5 million this year for Cumberland’s Crisis and Resilience Fund and more than £12 million over the next three years – providing a stronger safety net for people facing hardship. That’s a significant step forward in ensuring no one is left behind when costs rise unexpectedly.
The approach to this fund is straightforward: prioritising those already known to be on lower incomes, while also ensuring that other struggling households can access support through a simple application process. It’s about making sure help reaches people fairly, without unnecessary barriers.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed to get support out quickly and flexibly. If you need help, please reach out. Contact the council or get in touch with my office.
While this week’s changes will ease pressure, I know many families are still feeling the strain after a difficult few years. Lower bills through the price cap will help, but the reality is that affordability remains a real concern for many households.
Let me be clear – as the Prime Minister has also made clear – we will take further action in the coming months if the situation continues to worsen, in order to protect you and your family. Events are moving quickly and it would be wrong to make decisions now when things could change considerably in a matter of days. But contingency planning is underway and if the conflict in the Middle East continues and energy prices remain high into the autumn, further support will be considered for those who need it most.
Existing planned support this winter will also help. Most pensioners will still receive the winter fuel allowance of up to £300 and thousands more west Cumbrians will have £150 taken off your bills through the Warm Homes Discount, which we’ve now funded for the remainder of this Parliament.
I’m your voice in Government so if there is anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll do my best to support you.
Josh MacAlister MP 