The government is working on a package of cost of living support for the next prime minister, the chief secretary to the Treasury has said.
Simon Clarke, who is one of Liz Truss‘s most vocal supporters, said: “Of course, the government is working up a package of cost of living support that the next prime minister can consider when they take office.”
In a series of tweets, he said it is “absolutely right to consider these options in the round” when the new leader takes the reins, rather than announce “new uncosted policies” during the election period.
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It comes after Downing Street faced a backlash for ruling out new measures during Boris Johnson‘s remaining time in office, saying that it was a task for the next PM.
The outgoing prime minister has been facing calls to meet with his two potential successors and thrash out a new financial package of support ahead of a winter crisis that could see household energy bills top £4,200.
But the idea has been dismissed – leading to accusations of a “zombie government”.
Earlier today, Education Secretary James Cleverly told Sky News that energy bosses have been “hauled in” for a meeting with ministers to discuss their rising profits.
Mr Cleverly, who is also backing Ms Truss in the leadership race, said the solution was more complex than demanding a recall of parliament – as opposition MPs have done – “so all these problems go away”.
He said the government’s ultimate aim was to bring energy costs down, but that this will take “international effort as well as domestic politics”.
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi insisted the government is making “all sorts of contingency plans” to prevent blackouts this winter.
This is understood to be a “reasonable worst case scenario” plan which would reportedly be implemented if cold weather coincides with fuel shortages, according to Bloomberg.
Mr Zahawi told reporters during a visit to Belfast: “One of the reasons that I think we had one of the most successful vaccine programs in the world is because we prepared for all sorts of scenarios.
“I am very, very confident that the work we will do with the energy producers and suppliers will mean we will be in a good place.”
However, critics say new measures can’t wait, as calls grow for action to be taken before the new price cap takes effect in October.
Liberal Democrat Ed Davey said: “We don’t need a cozy meeting with energy bosses in Downing Street – we need to cancel the energy price rise to stop a social catastrophe in our country, it is as simple as that.”
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Why high energy bills hit everything
What have Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss pledged to help households?
Rishi Sunakhas promised to give “hundreds of pounds” more to people for energy bills.
However, he told ITV News it “would be wrong” to put a precise figure on the size of his financial package until we know for certain how much bills will go up by.
Liz Truss has repeatedly dismissed “handouts” as “Gordon Brown economics”, saying she prefers tax cuts to trigger economic growth.
But she has denied ruling out future support payments following accusations from Mr Sunak’s campaign that her position is “clear as mud”.
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The pair have engaged in fiery clashes over their competing plans to deal with the cost of living crisis – but both have faced calls to go further with their pledges.
Millions of UK homes are already in debt over their energy bills – with £1.3bn owed, even before bills are set to soar by more than 80%, according to analysts at Uswitch.
