THE English seaside resort of Morecambe welcomed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following a funding announcement on Thursday, but a request from one resident for help with his heating bill went unanswered.
Sunak was joined by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove for a walk around the seafront in the Lancashire town to see the proposed site of the Eden Project North, after announcing £50 million of funding for the project from the Government’s levelling up fund.
He praised the “huge buzz” in the town after meeting those involved with the project and students.
It was unclear if he heard one passer-by who shouted: “Lend us 20 quid for my heating bill, Rishi.”
Sunak was shown plans for the attraction, which will include a Tidal Gardens where music events for up to 6000 people will be held, before answering questions from people from local organisations in a question and answer session.
Bring me Sunshine.. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Morecambe MP David Morris pose with the Eric Morecambe statuepic.twitter.com/WY3WJL9VVP
— Richard Frediani (@BBCFrediani) January 19, 2023
The exchange came after news emerged that energy bills could be hundreds of pounds lower than previously thought in the latter half of this year, but only after a spike in the spring.
The average household’s energy bill might hit around £2200 a year from July, around £300 less than previously thought, experts at Cornwall Insight said.
It is around the same as an average family pays today after the Government support has been factored in.
Without backing from the Government the average household would pay £4279 per year for their energy bills between January and April – the level of the Ofgem price cap.
From April the Government's support gets less generous and will only reduce average bills to £3000.
While wholesale gas is cheaper than it has been for over a year at around 150p per therm, this is still around three times higher than at the beginning of 2021.
