Berkshire residents are feeling the squeeze from an unprecedented rise in energy costs which came into effect this month. 

A 54 per cent rise in the energy price cap came into effect on April 1, leaving millions of people with a £700-a-year increase on their bills. 

The increase is driven by a record rise in global gas prices, with wholesale prices quadrupling in the last year.  

The government has outlined measures it is taking to help people with rising costs, including a 5p per litre cut to fuel duty until March 2023 and a compulsory £200 repayable loan to all bill payers in October. 

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The Conservative MP for Wokingham, John Redwood, has said the government needs to “do more” to address the effects of the energy price inflation and calls for increasing home-grown production.  

“Just get on with extracting more U.K. oil and gas. It means less CO2 as well as a more reliable and cheaper supply and much more domestic tax revenue. The Regulators need to help us ease the energy squeeze, not delay or block progress.” 

“We need an update on the Spring Statement urgently. It would be better to head off the worst of the income squeeze before it sets in and people have to pay the high bills.” 

MP for Bracknell Forest, James Sunderland, and MP for Reading West, Alok Sharma, have not yet made a public comment. 

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A typical UK household will now see annual bills of £1,971, with a further rise expected in October potentially pushing that figure up to £2,600. 

The chief executive of Trussell Trust – an NGO and charity that works to stop poverty – Emma Revie, said: “Today's energy price rise is very concerning, especially for people who are struggling to afford the essentials. 

“People are already being forced towards food banks. This isn't right.” 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a new emergency home insulation programme and a windfall tax on oil and gas companies to “support struggling families.” 

Its parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, Councillor Clive Jones, said: “The meagre support announced by the government […] will barely make a dent in the eye-watering increase to people’s energy bills.  

“It is a pitiful response to the cost-of-living crunch.” 

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Labour is also pushing for a windfall tax on energy firms and a programme of upgrades to make homes more efficient, with the leader of the opposition, Sir Kier Starmer, branding the government's response “pathetic.” 

MP for Reading East, Matt Rodda, said: “This huge increase in inflation was clear before the invasion of Ukraine and it is crystal clear now. Yet so far, the government has only come up with a buy now pay later scheme for heating bills.” 

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