Johnson: Help on the way no matter who replaces me

BORIS Johnson yesterday reassured families struggling with rising energy bills that more help is coming regardless of who succeeds him as PM.

The Prime Minister admitted the current package of support in place is not enough – but insisted it will be bolstered. Speaking to reporters on a visit to North Wales, Mr Johnson said: ‘I’m not going to pretend that things are easy for people right now.

‘You’re right to push me because we’re doing everything that we can. But there’s more money coming anyway, as a result of the decisions being taken.

‘There will be further help coming in October and in the New Year [when the energy price cap is due to rise].’

He said the Government was taking short and long-term steps to address the crisis.

Asked if he believed the current support was enough, he said: ‘No, because what I’m saying we’re doing in addition is trying to make sure that by October, by January, there is further support and what the Government will be doing, whoever is the prime minister, is making sure there is extra cash to help people.

‘I think it is crucial to understand that, first of all, we realised for a long time things were going to be tough and that’s why we put in place a lot of measures already.’

It came as Thérèse Coffey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, dismissed predictions energy bills could exceed £5,000 next year.

Consultancy Auxilione yesterday showed price cap rises could mean average household gas and electricity bills reach £4,538 in January and peak at £5,277 in April.

Miss Coffey, who is campaign manager for Liz Truss, said the Tory leadership favourite would give further details of what help will be provided once the price cap announcement is made later this month. She told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘All the figures I have seen do not in any way suggest an average energy bill next year of £5,000.’