MP quizzes Brown on energy prices

Sparth Gas works

Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin quizzed the Prime Minister on energy prices in a commons debate yesterday (Wednesday 5 November).

The MP asked Gordon Brown what he could do to control gas and electricity prices for the poor families and pensioners in his constituency.

Mr Dobbin pointed out that like the banks, the energy companies need considerable regulation.

The Prime Minister said that the Government had already raised the winter fuel allowance for pensioners, with £250 paid to the over-60s and £400 to the over-80s within the next few weeks.

Mr Brown said that the Government was coming down hard on the gas and electricity companies to keep their tariffs at the same rate as they were last year.

The Prime Minister said: "We are continuing to talk to the electricity and gas companies about how the £900million levy that we charged upon them can be used to give greater help to people who are poor or low-income, and to families on modest incomes as well. We will continue to do what we can to help people through these difficult times."