Money saving expert Martin Lewis has clashed with former MP Edwina Currie after branding the current energy crisis a "catastrophe". Lewis took to Twitter on the morning of Thursday, September 1, to invite both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - the two candidates to be the next Conservative Prime Minister - on his ITV show, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
However, former MP and Minister for Health, Edwina Currie, told him to "stop pretending that governments can do everything". Ms Currie said: "I would like you, Martin, to stop using words like 'catastrophe', and instead advise people take sensible steps to reduce the effect on their families and businesses. And stop pretending that governments can do everything. They can’t."
But Mr Lewis responded, writing: "It is a catastrophe Edwina! While there are steps people can take to help themselves (I explain them in today's email http://mse.me/latesttip ) Energy bills by Jan will cost on avg over half the full state pension & bigger proportion of basic UC. No sensible steps cover that!"
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Ofgem announced last week that the energy price cap for households across the UK would rise once again in October, leaving many concerned that they will be unable to pay energy bills. The rise will push energy bills for the average household in the UK from £1,971 up to £3,549. By early next year, following the next price cap, costs are expected to rise once again to more than £5,000.
Households have been told to brace themselves for tough times throughout the winter, with the cost-of-living crisis meaning that, along with energy bills, petrol and other household items will rise in price. And Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, warned people on £50,000 a year will struggle to pay their energy bills.
Sir Keir made the comments defending his plans for universal help with energy bills, rather than targeting the poorest households. Labour revealed their £29 billion plan to freeze energy bills across the UK on August 14, claiming people are "worried sick" about paying their energy bills.
Sir Keir told Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine: “I think if you’re on £50 grand you’re going to really struggle with £4,000 on your energy bills. I think there will be many people watching who accept ‘I’m not the hardest-up, I’ve got a decent wage, but £4,000 on my energy bills is more than I can afford’.”
Boris Johnson has also said he expects “substantial sums” to help with the cost of living to be provided by his successor as prime minister. Mr Johnson reiterated the support the Government has already provided but insisted a “further package” will be delivered ahead of winter by the next administration led by Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
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