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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Ryan Paton

ITV GMB's Martin Lewis issues urgent demand amid 'catastrophic' energy bill warning

Martin Lewis issued an urgent demand as he called on the government to act now.

The consumer champion appeared on today's edition of Good Morning Britain after shock forecasts from analysts Cornwall Insight have predicted bills will rise even higher this winter than had been previously thought. Bills are now expected to reach approximately £3,582 per year for the average household from October - up from the £3,359 predicted earlier this month.

From January, that amount is expected to rise to £4,266 before rising again in April to £4,427 - the previous forecast was for £3,729 in April. Cornwall Insight said these changes were due to "a change in calculation methodology" by energy regulator Ofgem.

READ MORE: DWP issues one week cost of living payment warning to everyone of State Pension age

The Conservative government has claimed it is currently unable to introduce any immediate measures due to the ongoing leadership race. However, the finance guru has blasted the claim as "bull".

He said: "In May, when the government was facing political problems due to Boris Johnson, they were planning to make an announcement on energy in July and August.

"That was brought forward in May and the mechanism for bringing it forward was they asked Ofgem to publish forward guidance of what the price cap would be and they were therefore able to crystallise what was happening and made the announcements of up to £1,200 being available to the poorest homes."

Martin called on the two leadership candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, to reach an agreement of what will happen to avoid a "national crisis". He said: "The idea they can't do anything is wrong. They are not willing to work together."

He added: "This is absolutely catastrophic. For a government to sit there like zombies and say you can't do anything. When you know there is a crisis of magnificent proportions coming, you start dealing with it now."

Mr Sunak has indicated in his pledges he plans to evaluate the cost of living payment, but Martin said this must be doubled to be in line with the new forecasts. He said: "The gap between the current price gap and the average over October - March has doubled from where it was in May so we need to see a doubling of his amounts.

The finance guru also blasted Ms Truss' proposed pledges to cut taxes and suspend the green levy. He said: "This is a sticking plaster on a gaping wound. She needs to come out and give us tangible promises of what will happen now."

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