SIR – Householders, especially OAPs, are reeling from the latest price increases in both gas and electricity at more than three times the rate of inflation, which have already wiped out both the winter fuel allowance and whatever state pension rise comes from the triple lock guarantee next year.

But does salvation lie in the Government’s hands, as a large part of our energy costs arises from the crackpot green levies and carbon reduction taxes introduced by Labour’s Ed Milliband last time, along with the outrageous imposition of five per cent VAT put on by a previous Conservative administration?

With the Scottish National Party now offering to remove these excess charges as a bribe to buy votes in the forthcoming independence referendum, why can’t the coalition do the same for us?

The other weapon available to Messrs Cameron and Osborne is of course the windfall tax, which can be applied – retrospectively – if needs be to curb excess profits, and of course dividends of any company as a result of too-high prices.

The Chancellor’s autumn budget statement is an ideal time to give consumers some hope, and put one over on the opposition.

D S Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds