The Twickenham MP Munira Wilson, who also represents Teddington residents within her constituency, has criticised today's budget for failing to do more to protect households against sky-rocketing energy bills.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today announced, as expected, an extension to the energy price guarantee (EGP) until the end of June leaving a typical annual bill at £2,500 for the next three months which was due to rise to £3,000 on 1 April.

However, Ms Wilson has been vocal in her criticism of the Chancellor's move, claiming a further £500 should have been announced in cuts, bringing the average households bill down to £2,000.

Mr Hunt's Spring Budget failed to confirm what lies ahead for households on district and communal heat networks, including several blocks of flats in Twickenham and Teddington. Unprotected by the Ofgem energy cap or the Energy Price Guarantee, these families are facing energy bills as high as £5,000 this year.

Reacting to this afternoon's budget, Ms Wilson said: "Households are already facing soaring mortgages and rents, as well as the skyrocketing cost of food and essentials, yet the Budget today will see a hike in energy bills for local families. 

"As families are making difficult decisions and cutting back, the Government continues to take the easy way out, letting oil and gas companies making record profits off the hook. 

"People in London and across the UK deserve a robust plan to bring bills under control and ease the cost-of-living crisis. Liberal Democrats are calling for a proper windfall tax, a £500 cut to energy bills for every household and investment in our public services."

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Credit: HM Treasury.

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Jeremy Hunt insisted that not going ahead with an increase in the energy price cap to £3,000 should be seen as a positive.

"High energy bills are one of the biggest worries for families, which is why we're maintaining the energy price guarantee at its current level," he said.

"With energy bills set to fall from July onwards, this temporary change will bridge the gap and ease the pressure on families, while also helping to lower inflation too."