Give all UK households a set amount of subsidised energy, says thinktank

The energy crisis is leading millions of households into debt while energy companies make windfall profits. Photograph: Sean Spencer/Alamy

In order to cut rising bills all UK households should receive a minimum amount of energy at rates subsidised by the government through North Sea taxes, a thinktank has suggested.

Providing all homes with enough energy to heat two rooms, provide hot water and run key appliances such as a fridge and washing machine, at rates frozen at current levels, would require a subsidy of about £4.5bn, according to the New Economics Foundation.