Minister Does Not "Foresee" Need For Energy Rationing This Winter
A minister has said he does not “foresee” a need for energy rationing this winter, as bills set to soar (Alamy)
2 min read
Schools standards minister Will Quince has said he does not “foresee” a need for energy rationing this winter, as the government faces increasing pressure to tackle impenetrable bills when the energy price cap rises.
The domestic energy price cap for October will be announced on Friday and analysts have predicted it will top £3,500 for the average household, before further rises are set to be announced next January and April.
Businesses are not protected by such a cap, and as a result of a squeeze on supply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there have been reports that energy rationing could be considered at some point.
This morning Quince was challenged to confirm whether people might be asked to limit their energy usage in the coming months.
“My understanding is we don’t foresee challenges of that nature,” he told LBC.
“But any ways in which we can encourage individuals, households, and businesses to reduce their energy use while still ensuring that they can run and manage their household I think it is the thing a responsible government will do.
“And no doubt there'll be lots of consumer experts and others up and down the country offering such advice too.”
Conservative leadership candidate Rishi Sunak has said people “have to look at all options available” to reduce energy usage.
Sunak pledged that he would provide more direct help to vulnerable people if he enters Number 10 on 5 September and has also advocated for a “programme of massive energy efficiency upgrades”.
While Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is frontrunner to become the next prime minister, has already suggested she would consider announcing some additional support packages to provide immediate relief, she is more in favour of offering tax cuts rather than offering what she has described as "handouts".
Quince said that whoever wins the contest, there is “no question in my mind whatsoever” that more help will be coming once the new prime minister is in place.
“Now we will have to wait a couple of weeks for a new prime minister to set out their agenda alongside a new chancellor, but both leadership contenders have been clear there will be a fiscal event and more help will be coming,” he added.
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