PRESS RELEASE: 16,880 “squeezed middle” families in Guildford to receive no help with soaring energy costs

Over 16,880 "squeezed middle" families in Guildford won't receive any help with soaring energy bills, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The Government is only offering a Council Tax rebate on households in council bands A-D. This means households in bands E-F across the country will not see any support with soaring energy bills.

A staggering 16,880 households across Guildford borough are in Bands E and F, making up 28% of homes in the area.

This is far above the national average of 15% of homes in Bands E and F across England and Wales and makes Guildford borough one of the worst impacted areas in the country.

The figures are based on an analysis of official council tax data by the Liberal Democrats, who warned that the Conservatives are abandoning the "squeezed middle" and leaving families in Guildford out in the cold - literally.

The Liberal Democrat party has set out a "cost of living rescue plan" that would save struggling families across Guildford nearly £1,000 each this year. This would include doubling and expanding the Warm Homes Discount, scrapping the planned National Insurance tax hike and ensuring low-income families can access cheaper broadband deals.

Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat candidate for Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages said:

"It is really disappointing to see families in our area are the most likely in the country to receive no help for skyrocketing energy prices. Yet again the people of Guildford are being let down and taken for granted by the Conservative Government and thousands of families will be affected.

"This plan is a betrayal of the squeezed middle, who face a quadruple whammy of rising mortgage costs, soaring energy bills, unfair tax hikes and high inflation which is hitting food baskets on a weekly basis.

"You only need to speak to people or read comments on social media to see the impact the rocketing cost of living is having on local residents and I know that food banks and organisations supporting local families are experiencing further increases in the need for their help. This could be the final straw for households who are drowning in endless increases to their monthly bills and who do not know how they are going to make ends meet. The situation for many is scary and desperate.

"The Liberal Democrats rescue plan would save struggling families up to £1,000 this year. We are demanding that the Conservatives drop their unfair tax hike, and focus on tackling the cost of living crisis instead of making it worse."

ENDS