On 1 April, as part of a national campaign to lobby Government over the rising cost of energy bills, Independent District Councillor Charmaine Morgan will be joining other Independent South Kesteven candidates at Margaret Thatcher’s Statue on St Peters Hill from 12:30 to 13:30.
Over 80 protests have been organised across the country by CPRE.
Cllr Morgan said: “It is very appropriate that a protest regarding our unsustainable energy costs will take place at the foot of Margaret Thatcher’s statue.
“The cost of heating homes has rocketed. One local pensioner has seen an increase in his gas bill from £50 a month to £150 a month. For many people, especially babies, elderly and disabled, it is vital to keep warm. Once the temperature drops below 16 degrees Centigrade our bodies start to react to the cold.
“Government policy has failed to secure our energy and we are all paying the price.
“In addition to the protest an open letter has been written to Gareth Davies MP for Grantham and Stamford Constituency calling on him for a meeting and asking him to join other MPs who have pledged to support the CPRE demands for ‘lower energy bills and an energy system that works for everyone’ .
“In our constituency, according to Government data, over 6000 households were in fuel poverty last year. That was before the latest price increases and using a method of calculation which, it is widely recognised, likely underestimates the true scale of the issue.
“Whilst the CPRE campaign focus is lobbying the Government regarding household bills, after discussions with a number of local businesses, I am aware they too are suffering as their running costs and supply costs have significantly increased. They are reluctant to pass these onto customers for fear of losing them but have little choice.
“The government has put a number of initiatives in place to help households but they are short term and inadequate leaving people with huge shortfalls in their finances facing the choice of heating or eating. Businesses are unable to sustain the costs much longer. We call on our MP to lobby our Government to act now. We are coming towards the end of this winter but uncertainty around prices and the risk of further increases remain.
“I am pleased that Independent Candidate for Earlesfield Steven Cunnington will be speaking at the event. He has been working on an initiative with Grantham householders to identify and progress cases of damp with South Kesteven District Council and other private landlords. The Earlesfield estate has the highest density of households with fuel poverty in Grantham.
“All are welcome to join the protest on 1 April to show unity with everyone across our country suffering physically, mentally and financially at this time.”
https://campaigns.350.org/events/grantham-stamford-warm-this-winter-mass-lobby
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