The MP has said he wants to see bills lowered by £50 per quarter for the most hard up.

He said: "Rising energy prices affect everyone but it's those on the lowest incomes who are paying the heaviest price. There is therefore a need for social responsibility from the energy giants who I believe should be doing more to protect their most vulnerable customers."

The combined profits of the big energy firms have rocketed from £557million in 2003 to over £3billion today.

The MP suggested a portion of these profits should be redirected in social support.

He said: "My proposal is that the energy companies should give a £50 discount on every quarterly fuel bill for people at risk of fuel poverty.

"By that I mean people on low incomes, in receipt of tax credits and pensioners."

Some groups have called for a windfall tax to be levied but Michael Foster argued against this "Forget a windfall tax. Of course extra cash for public services is welcome but directly benefiting those who are struggling must, I think, be the better option."