RESIDENTS in Wellington and Rockwell Green have been hit hard by the recent huge increase in the price of gas and electricity. Many bills have soared by over 50 per cent per year, leaving some already hit by higher fuel and food prices struggling to cope.

Cllr Andrew Govier, who is the County Councillor for Wellington and Rockwell Green said yesterday: “I have already been contacted by lots of local residents who are extremely worried about how they are going to pay their fuel bills in the coming months.

“The increases are so large with direct debits increasing by, in some cases, over £100 per month. Something has got to be done to deal with this over the summer, as the bills are set to soar again in October.”

Although the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, tried to address the matter in his spring statement, there has been widespread condemnation of the government’s response to the issue - a £150 council tax rebate for Bands A- D and a £200 loan which has to be paid back over the next 4 years.

Cllr Govier added: “‘Although the rebate is welcome, it will in no way compensate people and there are a lot of people who won’t get it in any case. There are large number of older people in Wellington and Rockwell Green on fixed incomes through their pensions, who are really worried about these escalating costs. I would have liked to see the Chancellor put a windfall tax on the energy companies that have made huge profits in the last few years.

“This money could have been used to provide local people with a far bigger rebate or to offset some of the increases.”

There is also huge concern about the impact on young people and families with children who face increasing costs as well.

Catherine Govier, a candidate in the upcoming County and Town Council elections, said: “I know from my work with Shelter (the housing charity) that young people and families are sometimes on the highest tariffs, as they are often living in rented accommodation or using pre-payment methods.

“I would like to see the government do much more to deal with this issue and the other living cost increases. Local families are really struggling and everything seems to be increasing in cost at the moment.”