Mid-winter is when our energy needs are greatest, the increasingly high cost of which is impacting many Crawley households.  I recall the general election campaign in 2024 when Labour promised to cut energy bills by £300, but the sad reality is that energy bills have increased by £190 from already historically high levels.

Four years ago, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine caused energy costs to significantly increase, but there are also other self-inflicted reasons why the cost of energy is excessively high.  The UK has one of the highest household energy costs in Europe and increasingly, the Labour Government are responsible for it.  The last time the energy price cap was set under the previous Conservative Government for July to September 2024, it was £1,568.  It is now £1,758 for January to March 2026, which is a £190 increase.

Unfortunately, Labour’s overzealousness to reach net zero is making us all poorer.  We really should not be in a situation where Labour have said no new UK oil and gas licences for the North Sea, forcing us to import greater levels of gas from Norway, who also get their gas from the North Sea.

I want us to reach net-zero in a sustainable way that doesn’t make us all poorer, so I welcome that the Conservatives have been clear that reaching net zero by 2050 is impossible without causing a serious drop in our living standards, and that climate change levies on bills need to go.  It is now Conservative policy to repeal the Climate Change Act and introduce a Cheap Power Plan to cut energy bills by 20%, roughly £165 for an average home.

The last Conservative Government lifted 1.6 million households out of fuel poverty.  In 2010, 4.78 million households were in fuel poverty which had reduced 3.17 million by 2024.  That was progress, but there is much more to do and we risk going into reverse under Labour.  Energy security is important and renewables are a part of the picture, but nuclear and gas need to continue to be part of the mix, to ensure supply and affordability.

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

22nd January 2026