“The government is running out of gas both figuratively and literally.

“There was nothing in the King’s Speech which will help people stay warm this winter – no mention of an Emergency Energy Tariff for vulnerable households nor a Help to Repay scheme for the record numbers currently in energy debt.

“Meanwhile, the Government’s plan to award more oil and gas licences is not the answer, what we need is much more investment in insulation and homegrown renewables. In fact, the past 13 years and hundreds of North Sea licences have yielded just 16 days worth of gas coming onto the grid, not enough to keep people warm every winter.”

Warm This Winter spokesperson, Fiona Waters, commented:

“The Government’s own energy minister Claire Coutinho admitted yesterday that these new licenses will do nothing to lower people’s astronomical energy bills. The King must have been speaking through gritted teeth delivering this license for oil and gas giants to print money at the cost of the planet and people.

“We need cheap, clean renewable energy and home insulation as millions are already in debt, pensioners are afraid to put the heating on and families can only afford to heat one room. It’s a national disgrace and that is why we are demanding the Government mends the broken energy system and are calling for an emergency energy tariff in the Autumn Statement to help the most vulnerable.”