A senior government official is preparing significant new measures to curb rising energy costs, with a focus on easing the financial burden for lower-income households. Concerns over steep bill increases in the coming months have prompted discussions about a major budget intervention, potentially involving over £1 billion in support. The proposed aid would likely expand discounts for benefit recipients, though details of the broader policy changes remain under review. The move reflects growing alarm among ministers about the affordability crisis facing vulnerable consumers.
Exclusive: Officials working on further radical changes that would change how much energy companies could charge customersJohn Healey is considering a major intervention to cut energy bills for poorer households at this month’s budget, after ministers became alarmed at forecasts which show bills rising by hundreds of pounds in January.The chancellor is working on plans to spend more than £1bn to help energy consumers, the bulk of which is likely to go towards increasing the discount given to households on certain benefits. Continue reading...
