Queen Elizabeth’s death today at the age of 96 comes amid an economic and energy crisis affecting the UK. In addition, the British have also dealt with the arrival of a new prime minister, Liz Truss, who replaced Boris Johnson just days ago.
- Queen Elizabeth is dead: Catch the latest news and reflections live
Today, the new head of government announced a package of measures against the energy crisis. The most important of these is the two-year freeze on energy prices for families. The prime minister also pledged to end a moratorium on re-examining and re-examining the UK’s climate targets.
The energy price freeze is the head of government’s response to the 80% increase in tariffs scheduled for 1 October. The measure will mean savings of around £1,000 (almost R$6,000) per family per year.
His first address to the nation (6) focused on the crisis on Tuesday. At the time, Truss promised to lower taxes as well as deal with the energy crisis. “I am confident that together we can weather the storm, rebuild our economy and become the bright, modern UK we know we can be,” he said.
Britain’s new prime minister said on social media that everyone was “very concerned” for the queen. “The whole country will be deeply alarmed by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime. My thoughts – and the thoughts of the people in the UK – are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this time.”
Russian gas cut
One of the causes of the crisis in England is provoked by Russia. President Vladimir Putin has ordered that Russian gas supplies be cut to Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline, which affects all of Europe.
The pipeline is crucial for supplies to European countries fearing an energy crisis this winter in the northern hemisphere, which will begin in December. Putin says the West is to blame for imposing sanctions on the Russians in the war in Ukraine.
But concerns about Queen Elizabeth’s health also arise in a time of tension within the royal family. The monarch’s middle son, Prince Andrew, has lost his royal titles over allegations of sexual misconduct. The family has also distanced themselves from Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, after the couple stepped down from their official duties in 2020.
Last month, the National Health Service Confederation urged the government to urgently tackle energy prices and warned that the sharp rise in household bills would cause more people to fall ill and increase annual cold-related deaths.
In a letter to government officials, he said rising energy costs mean many people will have to choose between skipping meals or living in cold and wet conditions to heat their homes this winter.
*With information from EFE, RFI and Estadão Content
source: Noticias
