Ex-PM warns millions of people will fall into fuel poverty as bills price cap is lifted in April
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has warned the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, that millions more people will be plunged into fuel poverty unless the government uses next week’s spring statement to ease the UK’s cost of living crisis.
A letter to the chancellor, organised by Brown and signed by more than 70 Labour local government leaders, urged the chancellor to adopt a five-pronged approach to help those struggling to make ends meet.
Halt the 1.25 percentage-point increase in employee national insurance contributions.
Restore the £20 a week taken away from 6m households last October.
Provide significantly greater help for energy costs, targeted at the poorest households.
Put in place support for insulation costs for the poorest households as part of a programme for housing retrofits.
Update benefits this year in line with inflation rates.
