Monday June 8th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen
The Liberal Democrats today set out a plan to cut energy bills by £100 for the average household helping to tackle the cost of living crisis.
It would see every household receive a basic energy allowance, equivalent to 50% of average energy consumption, at a discounted rate, helping with the cost of everyday essential energy needs like heating, lighting, and running medical equipment.
This is the newest part of a package of policies put forward by the Liberal Democrats: ensuring all new homes are zero carbon, a new home insulation upgrade programme, breaking the link between electricity and gas prices, and removing the renewables obligation levy. Overall, the party’s plans would halve energy bills for families in the next decade.
According to the Scottish House Condition Survey, they expect 680,000 households to be living in fuel poverty between April and June this year, with just under half of those in extreme fuel poverty. The Lib Dem plan would save the average household £100 a year, while the poorest 20% would save an average of £140.
Families would receive extra allowances for children, and the most vulnerable – such as people with disabilities or on the lowest incomes would receive the discounted rate on all their energy use.
The scheme will be funded by clawing back £5 billion in unexpected windfall profits from monopoly energy network operators.
Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has backed the party’s plans for an “Essential Energy Guarantee.”
Christine said: “It’s a national scandal that so many families worry every day about keeping their homes warm, or that they choose to eat cold food so they don’t have to turn their ovens on.
“We need to be looking at long term solutions to help us get out of this crisis. The Liberal Democrat plans for an Essential Energy Guarantee is a permanent fix that ensures nobody has to choose between heating and eating, saving the average household £100 a year.
“I hope the Government listen and take steps to help those most in need.”
Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson, Pippa Heylings MP, added:
“This opportunity is an open goal for giving families the energy bills relief they have been hoping to see for far too long. The unfair profits accumulated by energy network companies must be reigned in and used for the public good.
“This is the newest part of a package of common sense policies put forward by the Liberal Democrats: solar on every new home, a new home insulation upgrade programme, breaking the link between electricity and gas prices, and removing the renewables obligation levy.
“Time after time we have put no-brainer recommendations to this government but the pace has remained painfully slow. This time they must not sit on the idea, and instead save families struggling with the cost of living now.”
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