What extra support measures or regulations do you expect the government to bring in this winter?

jazzy

Probably more support for pensioners on the old state pension and receiving pension credit. New state pension receivers will probably end up receiving no extra support.

Martico

More short-term financial help for the worst off will clearly be needed.
As for longer-term policy, the govt could do worse than accept that Insulate Britain were right all along. Public support for insulation programs would be relatively low-cost and bring enormous dividends to bolster energy security in the long term

Mstty

If there is to be more support it should probably be across the board or alternatively to cut down administration hand out extra money like the £150 earlier this year to properties in Band D and lower.

Otherwise the people just above the lines setout are the ones that miss out.

No easy way to cut this cake and someone will always miss out.

The big question is how much do you think they should give?

Another £400 or more?

brewerdave

Martico said:

More short-term financial help for the worst off will clearly be needed.
As for longer-term policy, the govt could do worse than accept that Insulate Britain were right all along. Public support for insulation programs would be relatively low-cost and bring enormous dividends to bolster energy security in the long term

In principle I agree BUT the last time there was a big push for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation, The Govt. money brought out all the cowboys and rogue traders !!

sevenhills

Mstty said:

No easy way to cut this cake and someone will always miss out.

The big question is how much do you think they should give?

Another £400 or more?

It would depend on how much money the government have got. The answer to that is nothing, because they are in debt.
For the poor, it also depends on how much benefits will increase, with RPI inflation now at 11.8%
They have said pensions will increase by Septembers inflation rate, but not a word about benefits.

Martico

Octopus Energy CEO on R4 this morning suggested support via wholesale mechanisms, which he argues would also temper inflation. I'm not sure of the mechanics of such support, but he sounded compelling. Anyone smarter than me want to comment on that?
"Tackling energy bills is critical to ensure people can get through this winter. It’s counter inflationary if it’s done right.

Question: How is it counter inflationary?

If support is given on the bills through wholesale market mechanisms, then energy makes less of a contribution to inflation and that is obviously doubly beneficial. It’s going to help people through the winter when we need it and it’s going to help tackle inflation.

In an ordinary year, the energy company might spend £1.5bn on the energy it buys to supply its customers, he said. At current prices, it’s more like £9bn. “There is no company that can tackle this problem alone.”

Evan3020

No one doubts the need to insulate, it was gluing themselves to the road that was the issue.

MattMattMattUK

Mstty said:

If there is to be more support it should probably be across the board or alternatively to cut down administration hand out extra money like the £150 earlier this year to properties in Band D and lower.

Otherwise the people just above the lines setout are the ones that miss out.

No easy way to cut this cake and someone will always miss out.

The big question is how much do you think they should give?

Another £400 or more?

If Sunak gets in I would expect to see the £66pcm increased to something closer to £100pcm and likely extended to twelve months rather than the current six, although he may keep his powder dry on the extension as it always helps electoral prospects to be able to make regular handouts. I also suspect that the £650 payments would see a further extension and support to pensioners (a key voter demographic for the Conservatives) will be increased and extended.

If Truss gets in then I do not think there will be any additional help directly, there will be a small indirect benefit for some from the abolishing of the NI rise and potential tax cuts, but that only helps those earning enough to already pay them and even then with the total one could benefit by being a maximum of £110 pa.

Looking at the polling it looks like Truss has it, which means no additional help, even though she will almost certainly cost the Conservatives the next election. 

nekr0mantik

I don't expect them to do much as they are Tories. I would want the price cap to be re done to be more fair and inject more borrowed money to apply re bates to energy bills. 
Like people have said it's not necessary to pay off the COVID debt right now makes zero sense with current climate so borrow more and ride it out longer as debt levels are not very high compared to historical data 

pearl123

Octopus Energy CEO has said he want's to see double the existing support. There's an item in the Guardian about it. Martin Lewis has said the same.

The Goverment needs to address the issue now.