Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, commenting on EDF’s decision to increase prices by 3.9% from 3 January, said:

“For hard-pressed consumers the most important thing the Government should do in the Autumn Statement is to stop the energy companies from increasing bills. But this latest price hike shows that nothing less than a price freeze will do, because, as EDF has made clear, even if the Government does make changes to green levies the energy companies are still planning to put up people’s bills anyway. Instead of asking taxpayers to bail out the energy companies, David Cameron should stop these companies from overcharging people in the first place.

“Labour’s energy freeze will save money for 27 million households and 2.4 million businesses and our plans to reset the market will deliver fairer prices in the future. People are sick and tired of paying over the odds because David Cameron is too weak to stand up to the energy companies and just stands up for a privileged few.”