Richmond's MP has called on the government to scrap the planned increase in energy tariffs which is due to come into effect on April 1.

Under the price cap that forms part of the Energy Price Guarantee the typical bill for an average household is due to rise by the equivalent of £500 a year to £3,000.

At the same time, the government is removing a separate rebate worth some £400 a year to all households.

The Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, has joined consumer groups and even major energy companies in arguing the increase is unnecessary because wholesale gas and electricity prices have fallen from their record highs.

At the same time, she called for an enhanced windfall tax on energy firms which have cashed in from the increase in the cost of gas and power caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and associated sanctions.

The Lib-Dems are calling for cuts to people's bills, combined with a new energy support package for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals across Richmond Park. 

Scrapping the increase would – in theory - save residents in the two boroughs of Richmond and Kingston almost £74m over 12 months.

Local Lib Dems have said new price hikes now will be a "hammer blow" to families and businesses already struggling and that action is needed now to save people from a "cost of living cliff-edge."

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have set out their plan to tackle the energy crisis including:

A windfall tax on oil and gas companies to raise billions of pounds

A cancellation of the Governments £500 energy bill rise in April

A one-off bonus tax on oil and gas executives

Doubling the Warm Homes Discount to £300.

A U-turn on plans to slash energy bill support for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals by 85%, and instead extend current levels of support for another six months.

Sarah Olney said: "The Conservatives' plan to hike energy bills in April will come as a hammer blow to families in Richmond and Kingston already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises.

"With no plan to deal with this cost of living crisis for people or businesses, this chaotic, out-of-touch Government is instead making it much worse because they just don't get it.

"People need real support and that's what the Liberal Democrats are calling for. Sadly, to add insult to injury Rishi Sunak is happy for energy bosses to rake in millions of pounds in bonanza bonuses, while families struggle to put food on the table or heat their homes.

Kingston MP and Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey added: "Rishi Sunak must act now to save families from a cost-of-living cliff edge, by cutting energy bills instead of increasing them. People deserve a fair deal - with a large cut to their energy bills, paid for by a proper windfall tax and a one-off levy on the bonuses of oil and gas bosses."

It is thought that the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will provide some new support for vulnerable households in the Budget next month