Energy price hikes are making ‘festive lights unaffordable’

Tories claim household electrictiy bills have soared on Starmer’s watch (Image: Getty)

The cost of lighting a tree has surged under Labour, with Conservatives warning Britain is heading for a “Christmas blackout”. Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho claimed “Rudolph’s red nose” will be the brightest light left on as families struggle with electricity costs.

The Conservatives claim the cost of electricity has gone up by 3.99 pence per kWh under Labour – the equivalent of a 17.8% hike.

With people running heating longer over the Christmas period and keeping lights on throughout the day, there is concern their incomes will take an even bigger hit.

The Tories are calling on the Government to overhaul the energy market by scrapping renewable subsidies and axing the “carbon tax”. They claim such measures would cut electricity costs by 20%, delivering a saving of around £165.

Ms Coutinho said: “Britain is headed for a Christmas blackout as Labour’s energy price hikes make festive lights unaffordable. If Father Christmas gets lost, it will be because Rudolph’s red nose is the brightest thing left on.

“Labour promised to cut energy bills by £300 but instead families are dimming the lights and stretching the heating to get through December, all to pay for Ed Miliband’s mad rush to net zero.”

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “These claims are pure bah-humbug. We are taking action to bring down energy bills for families through our clean power mission, and expanded the £150 Warm Home Discount to around six million households this winter.”

Sir Keir Starmer had promised before the election to “help families save up to £300 off their energy bills”. But the Conservatives point out the energy price cap has gone up by £190 from £1,568 for July to September 2024 to £1,758 for January to March 2026.

Ms Coutinho’s party has pledged to repeal the 2008 Climate Change Act which established legally binding, five-yearly carbon reduction targets. It claims the Act “forces ministers to make decisions that increase the cost of energy and make people poorer”.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The Conservatives also promised to axe the the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Carbon Price Support (CPS) for electricity generation.

Ms Coutinho said: “Only the Conservatives will stand up against this net-zero madness. Through our cheap power plan, we will axe the carbon tax, scrap Miliband’s rip-off subsidies, overturn the North Sea ban, and cut every household’s electricity bill by 20% instantly, or £165 for the average family.”