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New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has made his Prime Minister's Questions debut and urged Gordon Brown to help vulnerable people being hit by sharp rises in fuel and heating costs.

In a confident performance, Mr Clegg warned that countless British families were facing fuel bills of "£1,000 or more for the first time" this year.

Mr Brown said it was regrettable fuel prices were rising but insisted this resulted from factors hitting every economy in the world. He said £12 billion had been devoted to combating fuel poverty in recent years.

Mr Clegg hit back: "With 25,000 people predicted to die this winter alone from the cold, I think we need a more specific commitment from you.

"Will you agree today to take action to stop the energy companies from hitting the poorest families with higher bills on pre-paid meters so we can end the scandal of the poorest families paying the most for their energy needs?"

Mr Brown said the Government had asked energy companies to look at the issue, adding: "I hope you will support us in asking for extra money to be provided for the energy companies to subsidise the fuel bills of people who are lower paid."

Earlier, to tongue-in-cheek shouts of "bring back Vince!" from some Tory and Labour MPs, Mr Brown said he looked forward to working with Mr Clegg.

But he chose not to ape the style of Vincent Cable - the party's former acting leader - who garnered widespread praise for his witty and cutting contributions at PMQs.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.