Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has blamed energy price hikes this autumn on what he said was the Conservatives’ failure to invest in renewables. But his Tory shadow, Claire Coutinho, said cheap, non-renewable energy should be prioritised over carbon reduction targets to help struggling families this winter.
Households will see an average £149 rise in their energy bills from October under the regulator’s new price cap, with Ofgem blaming heightened global tensions and extreme weather events. The bill rises will arrive after Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided to scrap winter fuel payments, worth up to £300, to pensioners who are not in receipt of benefits or pension credit.
The Scottish government has said it will follow the UK government in no longer providing winter fuel payments to all pensioners. There is some discontent within Labour with MP Rachael Maskell publicly urging the government to “think again” about scrapping winter fuel payments from mid-September, particularly for those just above the pension credit cut-off.
Source: BBC
In other news – Jennifer Lopez played vital role in making Ben Affleck a family man
Jennifer Lopez reportedly had a hand in making Ben Affleck “a family man again.” An insider revealed to People magazine that the 55-year-old star motivated Ben to be more “family-oriented” prior to her divorce filing.
The confidant continued that the now exes have prioritized their blended family in their marriage. Read more
