In the 21st century, everyone should have access to basics like food, energy and the internet.
But our story today of a woman in a tower block who is avoiding soaring energy bills is a parable for our times. In using solar panels, batteries and other novel methods, she has decided to go “off-grid” by not using conventional energy.
She won’t be alone in the next few months, as many Scots will simply freeze themselves in order to dodge sky-high bills. Yesterday provided the awful confirmation that the typical energy bill will rise by 80 per cent to more than £3500 a year.
These charges will plunge millions of people into poverty and lead to financial hardship not seen since World War II. It will also create a vicious circle of misery with unemployment caused by businesses going bust due to crippling gas bills.
Liz Truss, who is almost guaranteed to become the next PM, has disgracefully refused to say how she will avoid this calamity. For the last month, she has pandered to hardline Tory members who want tax cuts over spending rises.
Her flagship policies – cutting national insurance and scrapping the green energy levy – will barely give anything to hard-pressed families.
What is needed is a bold approach that cancels that planned energy bill rise in October. Scottish Power and Labour are both correct to call for a freeze that will allay the fears of the British people.
A failure to do so will cause civil unrest many will never have encountered. Over 30 years ago, mass protests took place after Margaret Thatcher imposed the hated poll tax on the population.
Sky-high energy bills and the prospect of plummeting living standards could lead to clashes even more incendiary than those in the late 80s. As trade union boss Gary Smith told us: “What’s happening with energy bills is far more explosive than the poll tax.
“It’s going to impact industry as well as households. People are going to be losing their jobs and facing bills that they can’t pay.”
We are facing a national emergency but the Government is not being honest with voters. Senior ministers clearly have a plan and yet they are keeping it to themselves until after the Tory leadership contest is over.
If the Tory Government cannot lead, they need to make way for an administration that is not scared to save people from financial misery.
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