The Chancellor has set out a package of cost-of-living measures, including free bus travel for children in England during August and cuts to import tariffs on more than 100 food products, expected to save consumers around £150 million a year.
But the announcement contained nothing on energy bills, as Rachel Reeves sought to reassure households by comparing July’s expected bills to April last year, obscuring the fact that forecasts point to a £209 rise on current bills and that gas unit rates are set to climb 25% on current prices.
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“The Chancellor’s complacency on energy bills is shocking.
“Ministers say they are waiting until they finalise winter support. But that ignores the majority of households who pay on direct debit and could see energy firms increase their payments to take into account of likely higher costs this winter.
“Keeping people waiting for help will also be too late for households already in debt and dreading the next bill or people who rely on energy for medical or disability needs.
“The Government must confirm what energy support will be available now, including for those in energy debt, and those not covered by the price cap, such as households relying on heating oil and those on heat networks.
“The Chancellor also appears not to have set out a long-term plan to cut bills, such as breaking the link between electricity prices and volatile gas markets, or accelerating the shift to homegrown renewables.”