PEOPLE on low incomes need help now in coping with rising energy bills and not next Spring, York Central MP Hugh Bayley said after he pressed Energy Secretary Chris Huhne to protect the old and the vulnerable.

He also challenged the Government to introduce legislation to force all private landlords to comply with minimum energy efficiency standards.

Mr Huhne told the MP the Government was supporting the vulnerable through the warm home discount scheme and through energy efficiency schemes.

The Cabinet minister said he was “disappointed” by the decision by energy companies to raise their prices at a time when they were expecting higher profit margins and welcomed moves by the industry regulator Ofgem to investigate.

After the House of Commons exchange, Mr Bayley said: “The Government have left it too late to tackle energy prices and profits. Winter will be over before the regulator does the report.

“This is one of the coldest winters on record and people on low incomes need extra help now.”