Boris Johnson admits cost of living support is not enough – but announces no new measures to ease burden of rising bills | Politics News

Boris Johnson has admitted that the cost of living the government provides is not enough – but he refused to announce any immediate measures to combat rising household bills.

Mr Johnson doubled down on his remarks that it would be up to his successor – Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak – to take energy policy further, but stressed that “more money will come”.

Asked if he believed the government support package was enough, the prime minister told broadcasters: “No, because what I am saying is what we are doing besides trying make sure that in October, come January, there will be more support. And what the government will do, be it prime minister, is make sure there is more money to help people.”

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He continued: “The money is already starting to come in. I think it’s very important for people to understand, most people are still not getting the help that the government has allocated, so in the next few months, you’ll see around eight million households get another £326, you’ll see people in October getting help with the energy assistance scheme.”

Mr. Johnson added: “I’m not going to pretend that things are easy for everyone right now. You’re right to push me because we’re doing everything we can.

“But there’s more money anyway, as decisions are made, there will be more help in October and into the new year.”

The Prime Minister told reporters the public would have to “wait and see” what might emerge from Thursday’s meeting with energy bosses.

“I’m encouraged by some of the things we’re seeing from energy companies about what they can do to help consumers,” he said.

Mr Johnson’s successor will not be announced until September 5.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Nadhim Zahawi said options to provide more help to people to ease cost of living pressure will be “ready to go” on September 5 – but the same also adds that the new prime minister will have to decide on the matter.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Zahawi said one of the two Conservative leadership candidates would be able to “take the field” when elected, but he suggested outgoing Prime Minister Johnson would not introduce any policy. new to deal with living expenses while he was still in office. .

“My message to families today is this: we will have those choices ready to be made,” Mr. Zahawi said.

“Yesterday I met with the industry to see what more we could do about direct debit, on the prepaid meter, all of which families are worried about.

“We’re making sure we’re doing the work so that on September 5 the new prime minister can start working and put those things in place.”

Thursday’s conversations with energy bosses ended with no new measures to ease the cost of living crisis.

Energy analysts have predicted that typical energy bills could rise to around £3,500 by October and more than £4,200 in January.

While a new report suggests that energy bills will cost two months more than average wages next year unless the government intervenes.

Last night, the Tory leader was full of hope Mr. Sunak reveals plan to cut rising energy bills for 16 million vulnerable people which he hopes will take him to 10 Downing Street.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the lack of extra support offered to families and pensioners after a meeting with industry bosses on Thursday “appalling”.

And Labor has accused the government of “lack of action”.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer will visit Edinburgh later today, where he is expected to speak on some elements of the party proposal to help those with rising energy billsbefore full announcement next week.

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Sir Keir has come under fire over the past few weeks for going on holiday at a time of national crisis, with former Labor leader Gordon Brown taking three interventions outlining the steps he will take to ease the burden. the weight of the cost of living crisis while he was away.

But shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted to Sky News this morning that Labor “actually has a very clear plan” which includes taxing oil and gas companies.