October 2013
Edited in London
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188 Walworth Road SE17 1JJ
Gas and Electricity bills have increase 150 per cent in the last decade
A new report has found that gas and electricity bills have risen nearly a 150% in the last decade The increases have outstripped inflation by four times over the same period, according to analysis by the TUC. The figures do not take into account the latest rises announced by Npower, SSE and British Gas. As well as highlighting the dramatic rise in energy bills, the report, recently published, urges the government to stick to its green obligations. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: ‘The government has been guilty of dithering over two of the biggest challenges we face today – our cost of living crisis and the need to tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions.’ Last week Scottish and Southern Electricity announced an 8.2 per cent price rise, and British Gas followed that with the announcement that its electricity prices were to surge by 10.4 per cent and its gas prices by 8.4 per cent from 23 November. The latter rises would mean £125 a year added to the bills of almost eight million customers. Nick Clegg will block Conservative plans to cut energy bills through big reductions in green taxes before the 2015 general election. The Deputy Prime Minister has agreed to a government review of the green energy measures the Tories blame for rising gas and electricity bills. But he will not allow them to cut subsidies to relieve fuel poverty, encourage householders to insulate their homes or boost renewable energy like wind power. George Osborne is under pressure to respond to Ed Miliband’s pledge to freeze gas and electricity bills for 20 months if Labour wins the election. The Chancellor may try to reduce bills for small firms but any significant pledge to reduce environmental taxes might have to wait until the Tories issue their election manifesto.
Change, Diversity & Opportunities
The regeneration of Elephant & Castle presents a truly exciting opportunity to regenerate a significant area of Zone 1 London from a failed housing estate into one of the most vibrant, effervescent quarters of London. Walworth Road based businesses are willing to take the advantages that
the new developments could bring into the area. The challenge is to build on the areas strengths and overcome its challenges to create a new district of central London whilst retaining its uniquely diverse South London identity.