The chancellor is set to extend the energy price guarantee for a further three months today in a dramatic policy u-turn.
The guarantee had been due to rise to £3,000, with today's announcement ensuring average annual household bills are capped at £2,500 until mid-June. The government says this will save a typical household around £160 but, with the £400 of support that was available to households over the winter in monthly instalments due to end in April, not everyone has reacted positively to the news.
The announcement has received widespread criticism from Manchester Evening News readers, who don't think this cap will make a difference for families already suffering hardship with bills and more during the cost of living crisis.
Commenting on the M.E.N..'s Facebook page, Rachel Blackburn said: "This isn’t really help because we’re all being robbed anyway. This is the governments way of letting people believe they are helping while still making sure the general population struggle to live day by day. This is merely so people think there helping and don’t blame them! There pockets lined while there’s people still choosing between food or heating!"
Melissa Connolly said: "Using tax payers money when they should tax the energy companies!"
Ady Stephenson added: "It’s not really going to save anyone a penny because the governments removed its other £67 a month support so people will have to pay that. That’s an extra £200 people will have to find before the bills come down in July."
Joshua Gallagher reacted: "This isn't saving anyone anything, it's subsidies that our taxes pay for to ensure tory mates continue their big bonuses under the illusion that the tories are "helping" the people."
Annod Rokec said: "Probably soon hear the energy prices are going up again. So it’s the give with one hand, take away with the other scenario."
What do you think? Have your say in our comments below.
The Chancellor is also expected to outline plans on childcare reform, benefits reform and pensions allowances in the Budget when he speaks to MPs later today.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We know people are worried about their bills rising in April, so to give people some peace of mind, we’re keeping the energy price guarantee at its current level until the summer when gas prices are expected to fall. Continuing to hold down energy bills is part of our plan to help hardworking families with the cost of living and halve inflation this year."
Mr Hunt said: “High energy bills are one of the biggest worries for families, which is why we’re maintaining the energy price guarantee at its current level. With energy bills set to fall from July onwards, this temporary change will bridge the gap and ease the pressure on families, while also helping to lower inflation too."
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