Energy boss calls for extra support over bills

The government was right to support the people of Ukraine, but must now step up and support Britons through the cost-of-living crisis the conflict there has stoked, one of the country’s top energy bosses has said.

ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson said that people are feeling “genuine fear” as energy bills rise “off the charts and out of reach”.

He called on the government to double the support packages that it put into place in May this year – which promised £400 for all households and up to £1,200 for the most vulnerable.

“People’s concern about how they’re going to make ends meet when the price cap goes up at the start of October is palpable, and turning to genuine fear,” Mr Anderson said.

He warned that the “tough conditions for UK households are going to get much, much worse before they get better – and are going to endure for longer than any of us could have expected”.

The call comes days after energy bosses – including Mr Anderson – met Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other Cabinet members.

The meeting appeared unfruitful, with the government saying it would not make any major decisions until the new prime minister is installed.

Last week three “peaceful, dignified” groups “spanning political divides” have protested at the ScottishPower offices, Mr Anderson said: “All with one message. People urgently need help.”

Bills were this week forecast to rise to close to £5,300 for the average household per year in April. The rises will eat up support announced in May, when experts thought that bills would peak at £2,800.