The energy secretary is “very sympathetic” to calls to protect people from a 20 per cent rise in their energy bills in April, adding to pressure on the chancellor to act.
Grant Shapps said he was “working very hard” on the issue with Jeremy Hunt, as consumer groups and energy companies urged the government to scrap the planned increase.
The government’s energy price guarantee limits gas and electricity tariffs so that a household with typical use will at present not pay more than £2,500 a year. However, that ceiling is due to rise to £3,000 a year from April.
The number of people unable to afford their energy bills will double from one in ten to one in five if the rise goes ahead, spelling
