Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis has given his backing to demands for an investigation into wholesale and retail pricing by the ‘Big Six’ energy companies.

Phil Willis has joined other MPs in calling for a Competition Commission into the dealings of British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy, npower, Scottish and Southern and Scottish Power.

“I give my full backing to this investigation. It is very worrying that by 2016, we may see an increase of over 60% in domestic consumer bills.” *

Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Phil Willis is backing moves to help the tourism sector through targeted reductions in VAT.

“Here in Harrogate and Knaresborough we know better than many just how important tourism is to the wider economy. Other countries in Europe have recognised this, for example Germany has cut VAT on hotel accommodation to seven per cent while France has cut VAT on restaurant food to five per cent.

Phil Willis MP (LibDem, Harrogate & Knaresborough) has added his support to Carers UK’s national carers’ rights campaign on Friday 4th December 2009.

A massive 64% of visitors to my website voted that Tony Blair should not be made the new president of Europe. Only 36% wanted Blair for the top job, and will therefore be disapointed to see Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the first ever full-time president of the European Council.

Phil Willis MP (LibDem, Harrogate & Knaresborough) will be helping to highlight the Warm Homes Campaign on Friday 28th November.

Nearly 11% of households in Harrogate & Knaresborough live in fuel poverty* with an average of 38 Excess Winter Deaths between 2002 and 2007 **

“It is unacceptable that people are dying because of inadequate heating and insulation or because they cannot afford to heat their homes properly” said Phil Willis.

“We tend to think of Harrogate and Knaresborough as a wealthy area and therefore not affected by the credit crunch as much as others. However I know from my constituency surgeries that there are many people suffering debt problems.” so said local MP Phil Willis (LibDem, Harrogate & Knaresborough) in advance of the launch of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) on Friday.

“I welcome the launch of CAP’s debt counselling service as another means of helping the victims of the credit crisis.”

Phil Willis will be speaking at the event, giving a politician’s perspective on the credit crisis.

Mince pies and festive gifts will be the order of the day on Saturday 21st November when Harrogate & Knaresborough Liberal Democrats will be holding their Christmas Fair.

Phil Willis MP will formally open the event at 2pm after which visitors will be able to browse the many stalls, including cakes and home produce and sample the refreshments.

The Christmas Fair takes place at St Pauls’ Church Hall on Belmont Road off Victoria Avenue in Harrogate from 2pm to 4pm.