Martin Lewis has thrown the gauntlet at Tory leadership runners Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to appear on TV with him to explain their plans to tackle the cost of living crisis. The founder of Money Saving Expert wants the candidates to sit down for a live interview following the latest jump in energy prices.
A decision on who of Ms Truss or Mr Sunack will succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister will be made next week after a marathon campaign as each courted the Tory members who will decide the next incumbent at No.10. Ms Truss is the heavy favourite going into the final weekend, with the result to be announced on Monday.
Mr Lewis earlier this week issued a warning to everyone about a further price cap rise at the start of next year. Millions of people across the UK are facing a major increase in energy prices as Government regulator Ofgem confirmed an 80.06% rise in the energy price cap, sending the average household's yearly bill up from £1,971 to £3,549 from October.
The cap will come into effect for around 24 million households on default energy tariffs on October 1, and will remain in place until December 31, when it will be adjusted again.
Mr Lewis said: "The January price increase will take someone on typical use to over £5,300 a year pro rata. We are talking over half the state pension, even more what a single person on Universal Credit get. It is clearly unaffordable. It is irresponsible of our Government to allow today's announcement to have come without firm plans in place for what they are going to do to help the most vulnerable, and those most at risk from dying. We have to hear soon. They should have done before, but they need to tell us."
Addressing Truss and Sunak on Twitter, Mr Lewis said: “It’s like to formally invite you, as the new PM, to join me asap once you take office for a special hour’s discussion / Q&A to answer / ease people’s concerns.” Mr Lewis said ITV would broadcast a special programme. The presenter said his preference was to do it “live in the evening”, but said he was happy to work with the Truss and Sunak camps on scheduling in the next few days.
