THE UK Government has been accused of abdicating its responsibility after no Tory minister was willing to speak to the media following Ofgem’s announced rise to the energy price cap.
The energy regulator confirmed an 80.06% rise in the energy price cap, sending the average household’s yearly bill from £1971 to £3549 from October.
The spike is expected to drive millions into fuel poverty, with money saving expert Martin Lewis warning that people will die if nothing is done.
Calls for action from the UK Government have poured in from opposition parties, charities and campaign groups, and even Ofgem itself.
However, the Westminster government remains paralysed, with the incumbent prime minister refusing to act and the Tory leadership contest to replace him due to roll into its third month.
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who faces being booted out of the Exchequer when Boris Johnson leaves No 10, said in a statement that the increase in the energy price cap would cause “stress and anxiety” for people.
However, although Zahawi insisted the UK Government was working to develop more options to support households, no immediate extra help will be announced.
Zahawi, like his colleagues in the Tory Cabinet, was not available to appear on any media broadcasts on Friday morning.
Good Morning Britain hosts Kate Garraway and Adil Ray called out the Tory government live on their show on Friday. They said that money saving expert Lewis, who has been present across the media, seemed to be the “leader at the moment”.
'We would love you to come on and give us some guidance.' On the day when we’ll discover just how high energy bills are set to go from October, @kategarraway and @adilray invite a member of the government to come on to the show to offer some clarity. pic.twitter.com/VKh2mB7rGx
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 26, 2022
Journalist Rachel Wearmouth tweeted: “Allowing the Tory leadership contest to run across the whole summer looks more irresponsible than ever this morning as the energy price cap rises from £1971 to £3549.
“No minister on broadcast because, basically, no one is in charge.”
Commenting on the post, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf added: “In the midst of a crisis that threatens to plunge millions into poverty, the UK Government are in complete paralysis. Those vying to be PM have no meaningful plan to help those who are, and will suffer.
“What a complete abdication of responsibility by the UK Govt.”
In the midst of a crisis that threatens to plunge millions into poverty, the UK Government are in complete paralysis. Those vying to be PM have no meaningful plan to help those who are, and will suffer. What a complete abdication of responsibility by the UK Govt. https://t.co/j3uh2fJ1Ol
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) August 26, 2022
SNP MP Joanna Cherry also condemned the Tories. She wrote on Twitter: “Millions of people are facing crippling bills and a plunge into poverty. Energy is a reserved matter. Drastic action of the sort taken during the financial crisis and pandemic is required.
“Only the Westminster Govt can act yet they are missing in action.”
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, the two contenders to enter No 10, have both only announced vague plans to help with bills, with nothing concrete put in place.
Johnson, who refused to step down as prime minister until a replacement was chosen, has taken two holidays this month alone.
Lewis told the BBC that the lack of certainty was causing a second “catastrophe” through the impact it had on people’s mental health.
Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “The first moral duty of government is to protect people and provide them with security. The UK Government and Ofgem are failing badly in that duty and acting without any sense of compassion and justice.
“This massive price hike is in line with predictions. Ministers knew this was coming for months but have put nothing in place to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
“We must be clear. Bills of this size will be completely and utterly unaffordable for people on low incomes, many of whom have already been struggling with cuts to social security and huge wage squeeze for years and years. They will cause stress, anxiety, illness, debt and death.
“The UK Government must act now. It is simply not right that they continue to dither – prices must be frozen and targeted support must be put in place to help those most in need.”
