Boris Johnson is “hoping for a populist comeback”, a former minister has said as the Tory leadership race enters its final week. Rory Stewart called the outgoing prime minister “dangerous” and said it was important to remember why he was forced to stand down as some of his supporters want him back. “He’s trying to do an Imran Khan or a Berlusconi. He will be hovering around, hoping for a populist comeback,” the former Tory politician told The Guardian. He said: “I think we need to remind people why he left. He should have gone much, much earlier. What he did was deeply, deeply shameful – and dangerous.” Johnson said he would resign after a series of scandals – including the handling of sexual harassment allegations against MP Chris Pincher and the Partygate scandal – which culminated in mass government resignations. It comes as the battle between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to be the next prime minister enters its final week, with results expected next Monday.
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Rory Stewart believes Boris Johnson is hoping for a ‘populist return’ to politics
Rory Stewart, a former government minister, said he believed Boris Johnson was hoping for a “populist comeback” in a new interview. “I think he’s dangerous and there are people out there who want him back,” he told the Guardian. “I think we need to remind people why he left. He should have gone much, much earlier. What he did was deeply, deeply shameful – and dangerous.” He told the newspaper he believed Mr Johnson would try to get back into politics. “He’s trying to do an Imran Khan or a Berlusconi. It will be hovering around, hoping for a populist comeback,” he said. Rory Stewart said Boris Johnson ‘should have left a lot sooner’ (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA file) Zoe Tidman29 August 2022 08:07 1661754462
Hospitals and schools fear staff cuts due to rising energy bills
School and hospital managements have warned of possible staff pay cuts amid soaring UK energy bills. The National Health Service (NHS) confederation said the bills they are paying this year are far higher than what they paid hospitals last year. “The funding gap from rising inflation will either have to be met by fewer staff being employed, longer waiting times for care or other areas of patient care being cut,” NHS Confederation’s Rory Deighton told the Mirror. He added: “The NHS needs at least £3.4 billion to offset inflation over the course of this year alone. That’s before we face a winter of even higher wholesale energy prices.”
Hospitals and schools fear staff cuts due to rising energy bills
“Money is diverted from education and given to energy companies” Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 07:27 1661753081
Almost one in four ‘won’t turn on the heating this winter’
Almost one in four adults plan to never turn on their heating this winter, according to a poll, as average bills are expected to soar as the temperature drops. This figure is even higher for parents with children under 18, according to Savanta ComRes research carried out before the new price cap was announced. Pollsters asked more than 2,000 UK adults how they would react to rising energy prices over the winter – 23 per cent said they would not turn on the heating at all, rising to 27 per cent among parents under 18 .
Almost one in four ‘won’t turn on the heating this winter’ as energy bills soar
Seven in 10 UK adults will turn on their heating less, while one in 10 will take out a loan, survey finds Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 07:04 1661752086
State pensioners could be left with just over £10 a day after price cap hike
Pensioners in the UK who rely on government payments could be left with just over £10 a day to spend on food, transport, medicine and other living costs from next April due to rising energy costs, according to reports. The full state pension is likely to jump to £10,600 from April 2023, assuming inflation is set at 10.1 per cent next month when pension rates for 2023-2 are set, according to analysis by Sky News. However, the usual cost of energy bills will reach £6,616 in April, according to a forecast by consultancy Cornwall Insight.
State pensioners could be left with just over £10 a day after energy price hike
Charities across the UK are raising concerns about the soaring cost of living for older people Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 06:48 1661751731
Tory voters say Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have no solutions to energy crisis
Conservative voters are rejecting both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak’s plans to tackle the energy crisis ahead of huge price rises this autumn, an exclusive poll for The Independent reveals. Fewer than half of Tory supporters believe the candidates have solutions to the upheaval caused by a rise in the average annual gas and electricity bill, which will jump to £3,549 in October and is forecast to reach £5,300 in January . Worryingly for Mrs Truss – who is the overwhelming favorite to replace Boris Johnson – just 48 per cent of Tories back her as a candidate to cut emergency living costs. That number puts her narrowly ahead of Mr. Sunak, who is supported on that measure by 44 percent.
Tory voters say Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak can’t solve energy crisis
Exclusive: Poll reveals conservative supporters’ lack of faith in candidates – and public rejection of their priorities Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 06:42 1661751024
Liz Truss likely to tackle rising bills with tax cuts: report
Liz Truss, one of the final candidates in the race to succeed Boris Johnson, would prioritize tax cuts over providing direct payments to every household to tackle rising energy bills. Ms Truss is said to be considering a 5 per cent VAT cut. “Liz has been clear that we need to reduce the tax burden and focus on boosting energy supply and that will be her priority as prime minister,” a member of her campaign team told the BBC. “It’s also clear that she may need further support to help. Her preference is to target those most in need, but she’s not ruling anything out.” Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 06:30 1661750948
ICYMI | Ofgem confirms the energy price cap will jump to £3,549 from October, an 80% rise.
The UK energy regulator has set the new price cap at £3,549 from October 1, marking an 80 per cent rise in energy costs. Ofgem said it was not sharing forecasts for January when a new cap would come into effect as the market continued to be very volatile. However, there are fears that the winter gas market will lead to “significantly worse” prices by next year. Millions across Britain are facing the cost of rising energy bills, made worse by Friday’s announcement, as wholesale gas prices continued to rise following the pandemic.
Ofgem confirms the energy price cap will jump to £3,549 from October, an 80% rise.
Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley warns of energy price difficulties this winter Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 06:29 1661748049
Boris Johnson to urge Truss and Sunak to preserve green investment
Britain’s next prime minister must not abandon investment in green energy as he works out measures to ease the cost of living crisis, Boris Johnson will urge. The outgoing prime minister is expected to tell Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss – the finalists in the race to succeed Mr Johnson – that the UK must strengthen its commitment to net zero while supporting struggling households, the Telegraph reported. The remarks will likely act as a warning to the two No 10 candidates to stick to Johnson’s ambition to build a new nuclear reactor every year and support a fivefold increase in offshore wind power by 2030.
Boris Johnson ‘to urge Truss and Sunak to continue green investment’
Britain’s next prime minister must not abandon investment in green energy as he works out measures to ease the cost of living crisis, Boris Johnson will urge. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 05:40 1661747300
What does the energy price cap mean to you?
The energy price cap is the maximum amount a utility company can charge an average UK customer each year for the amount of electricity and gas they use, preventing businesses from simply passing on cost increases to the consumer. However, the cap, set by regulator Ofgem and first introduced in January 2019, only applies to customers on a standard variable charge, usually a provider’s default and most expensive option. It doesn’t protect consumers from global market fluctuations and doesn’t limit a person’s total bill – if you use more than the ‘average user’ you still pay more.
What does the energy price cap mean to you?
Rising global gas prices cause dramatic rise in household bills in 2022 Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 05:28 1661747171
At least 47 per cent of Tory voters want energy nationalised, poll finds
Almost half of Conservative voters support the renationalisation of the UK’s energy industry amid a cost-of-living crisis, according to a new poll. The YouGov poll for The Times found that 47 per cent of Conservative voters support returning energy companies to public ownership, while 28 per cent were opposed and another 25 per cent said they were not sure. Almost half of respondents said they would not be able to afford their energy bills without cutting other expenses. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar29 August 2022 05:26
