The Evening Standard reports that the Lib Dems have warned that families in rural communities are set to be hardest hit by a “tsunami” of soaring energy costs.

The party says new research suggests those in rural areas living in fuel poverty will be £450 poorer than their urban counterparts when prices rise in October. According to the Lib Dems, the average “fuel poverty gap” – the amount needed to lift households from the fuel poor threshold – is estimated to rise to £1,050 in rural areas when the price cap goes up. This compares to a projected £600 in urban areas. The party is calling for the new Prime Minister to offer extra support with energy bills to people living in rural communities, as they risk becoming the “forgotten victims” of the cost-of-living crisis. This includes additional help for off-grid homes reliant on heating oil, which is not subject to the energy price cap. The Lib Dems’ rural affairs spokesman, Tim Farron, said: “The Conservatives have had months to set out a plan to tackle soaring energy bills. Instead families and pensioners have been left worrying day and night about how they will get through the winter”.

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Evening Standard - Rural families will be worst hit by ‘tsunami’ of rising costs, Lib Dems warn