Rishi Sunak’s been reacting to the energy price cap falling today – he says it’s “really important” to “target our support to the most vulnerable in society, and that’s what we’re doing”.
Out and about in North Yorkshire, the prime minister told reporters: “The National Living Wage has gone up by around £1,400 for those on the lowest earnings, pensioners are receiving an extra £300 this winter alongside their winter fuel payment – and everyone on Universal Credit is receiving £900 in direct cost of living support because I want to make sure the most vulnerable in our society do get that extra help even as the energy prices are coming down.”
Mr Sunak added that today was “really good news” for families in the UK.
He said: “We took decisive action after Putin’s illegal war to help families by imposing a windfall tax on energy companies, using that money to provide about £1,500 of support to a typical household, but I know things are still tough and that’s why we are working night and day to bring down inflation, so that the money in people’s pockets can go further.”
Meanwhile, the Resolution Foundation estimates about one in three households in England will face higher bills between October and March.
These are households that consume less gas and electricity than a typical household.
Its analysis suggests among the poorest tenth of England’s households, nearly half, 47%, would face more expensive bills this winter.
Jonny Marshall, an expert at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The end of the £400 universal payments and rising standing charges mean that over one-in-three families across England will face higher bills this winter than last.
“With almost three million households set to see their bills rise by over £100 – at a time when inflation is still sky high – the government must up its game in providing longer-term support for hard-pressed families with a new social tariff for energy bills.”