A BRADFORD MP has warned the Government to protect families from skyrocketing energy costs or risk families facing blackouts this winter.

Today in Parliament, Bradford South MP Judith Cummins called on the Government to take immediate action to protect families and businesses from skyrocketing energy costs.

Recent reports have warned millions of families face blackouts this winter, while some businesses have seen a five-fold increase in their energy bills.

Speaking in Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy questions, Ms Cummins said: “Two weeks ago, we found out that we have a huge surplus of natural gas but nowhere to store it, followed shortly by an announcement that as many as six million households will face power cuts this winter because of gas shortages.

"Can the minister give a guarantee here today that this Government can keep the lights on for both households and for industry this winter? A business in my constituency told me that their energy bills have soared from £7 million to £35 million – so what support is the government giving to energy intensive industries?”

Responding, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister Greg Hands MP said the “Government is actively looking at storage” but that “the scenario she painted is an extreme scenario.”

Afterwards, Ms Cummins said: “Hearing that ample gas supply is arriving at our ports only to be turned away due to lack of storage while energy bills are through the roof is nothing short of a disgrace."