WE all know that there has been a huge rise in our energy bills in the last few years. So I decided to check what rises had actually occurred over this last two years in my gas and electricity bills.

Well I was shocked and surprised to see that the costs per unit of energy had risen by 36 per cent for both gas and electricity. Prices are rising again and I wonder how this can be justified given that we have already had massive above inflation increases in our energy costs.

Thank you Ed Milliband for raising this issue and bringing it to the attention of the country. It resonates with households rich and poor across the land.

However, it is the poorer households that feel the most pain.

In the Malvern Hills we have an increasing number of people needing to use the foodbank. Ours is one of hundreds across the country which provides emergency food parcels for people experiencing temporary financial difficulties. For those struggling to put food on the table, the increase in energy costs may mean they can’t afford to have a hot meal.

Unfortunately, for some the dilemma is eat or heat.

DR JOHN GALLAGHER Upper Welland