Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy sectary, said the government will explore “what more we can do” to help those struggling with high bills, via “fundamental reforms” including investment in renewable energy.
double quotation markFamilies will be understandably concerned about the cost of energy bills this winter, which is being driven up by the Iran war.
Energy is an everyday essential and it needs to be affordable for everyone, which is why we have cut VAT on electricity bills from October, to give families some breathing space.
This has limited the rise in the price cap and follows the £150 in costs we removed from bills earlier this year, and we will keep looking at what more we can do to protect families from unaffordable bills.
The government is looking at “fundamental reforms” to drive down energy bills for good, the energy secretary said.
View image in fullscreenEnergy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh arrives at 10 Downing Street for prime minister Andy Burnham’s first cabinet meeting on 21 July. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesSpeaking to Sky News, Fahnbulleh said:
double quotation markIf you look at energy bills, if you look at how much of a family’s finances it is taking up, it is far too expensive.
So, whether that is short-term support that we’re providing to provide a bit of breathing space, which is what the government has done and will continue looking at that, or more fundamental reforms that we need to make to the energy market to drive down bills for good, we are absolutely determined to do that.
She argued renewable energy investment is “absolutely critical” to breaking the link between high gas costs and bills.
Fahbulleh also said she was “frustrated” global events had increased bills in the UK but would not be drawn on criticising Donald Trump for starting the war in Iran.
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