A BID to cut the cost of energy for homeowners has been defeated in the House of Commons, drawing the ire of Labour members locally and nationally.

Cumbrian MPs voted against a Labour motion last week that would have cut the VAT on energy bills.

The opposition said that their proposal would counter the effect of soaring energy costs, funded by a one-off tax on North Sea oil producers.

But the Household Energy Bills motion was defeated, with 229 votes in favour and 321 votes against.

Joining the chorus of votes against were five Cumbrian members: Mark Jenkinson MP for Workington, John Stevenson MP for Carlisle, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison; Neil Hudson, Penrith and the Borders MP and Simon Fell, MP for Barrow-in-Furness.

Leader of Carlisle Labour Les Tickner has hit out at Conservative MPs for voting against the motion: "The Labour motion if agreed would help the middle income earners, those on lower incomes and pensioners by increasing and expanding the warm homes discount to 9million people.

"The plan would save households £200 from their bills, and up to £600 in total for those who need it most. The proposal would be paid for through a windfall tax on North sea oil and gas profits.

Cllr Tickner said: "Sadly the Labour motion was defeated. All three Cumbrian Conservative MPs voted against the motion which would have saved Cumbrian families up to £600 on their energy bills.

"In 2021 John Stevenson MP was paid a salary of £81,932 and claimed an additional £62,362 in expenses. A total of £144,294.

"In 2021 Mark Jenkinson MP was paid a salary of £81,932 and claimed an additional £91,203 in expenses. A total of £173,135. Maybe the increase in energy bills will not be an issue for them?"

The Labour group leader said: "Their job however is to represent the best interests of their constituents. Voting against that motion was not and is not in the best interests of the people of Cumbria."

MP for Workington Mark Jenkinson said: "The motion wasn't to cut VAT, it was to hand control of government business to the opposition, just as Labour also did when they continually tried to block Brexit.

"Had the Labour Party been serious about helping people rather than playing political games, they could have brought a simple motion to cut VAT - as I wrote to the Chancellor three weeks ago asking him to do."

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: "The way they constructed the motion meant the opposition took over the order paper. Labour were trying to take control of the agenda."

He said that Labour were playing politics "rather than thinking about the real issues."

Mr Stevenson did not agree that the motion would support struggling families.

"It favours the rich because if you've got a bigger tax bill, you get a bigger cut."

He said: "We don't know if the prices are going to be permanent or not, the world energy market fluctuates significantly."

Mr Stevenson said that if the Government is to support struggling families with soaring energy bills it should focus on the Winter Warmth Grants and similar schemes.