As winter approaches, households in the UK are facing rising gas and electricity bills, with an average increase of £149 per year. The Resolution Foundation is calling on Keir Starmer to intervene and support vulnerable households who may struggle to heat their homes this winter. The energy price cap, set by Ofgem, will rise by 10%, adding to the financial burden on households. With 7.7 million households at risk of “fuel stress” this winter, the need for government intervention is dire.
The thinktank also highlighted the inadequacies of the winter fuel support, emphasizing that working-age families are also struggling, not just pensioners. They suggest reforming the cold weather payments scheme to provide more targeted support. Looking ahead, the government is urged to prioritize developing a social tariff and investing in energy efficiency to protect vulnerable families from future energy shocks.
While some energy suppliers are offering fixed-price deals below the cap, many Britons are still expected to ration their energy use this winter. The government has promised support through schemes like the warm home discount and winter fuel payments, but more comprehensive solutions are needed to address the root causes of fuel poverty.
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