Winter promises to be harsh for the British. In the UK, rising energy prices are causing concern. The authorities announced on Friday an 80% increase in the ceiling price of household electricity and gas bills from October. A direct consequence of the war in Ukraine.
This considerable increase in prices will push Britons to reduce their energy consumption or risk skyrocketing their bills and going into debt.
According to a poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and broadcast by heaven news23% would consider not turning on the heating this winter to save money. A figure that even reaches 27% for households with children.
This same survey also reveals that one in ten Britons could be forced to take out a loan to pay their energy bills.
No tariff shield
In 2021, 4.5 million UK households were considered “energy poor” because they spend more than 10% of their income on bills. Without action by the British authorities, there could be 8.9 million in October and 15 million in January 2023, according to calculations by the Child Poverty Action Group. Or more than one in two households.
Faced with this catastrophic scenario, the British government is being closely examined. In May, the government announced £14bn in aid, but that will only cover 47% of the rising bills, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a think tank, cited by The world.
It remains to be seen what Boris Johnson’s successor will do on the way out. Liz Truss, the favorite to succeed him as leader of the Conservative Party, was vague about the measures she could implement.
Source: BFM TV
