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.
It comes after Downing Street faced a backlash for ruling out new measures during Boris Johnson’s remaining time in office, saying that 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.
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Households already owe £1.3bn to energy suppliers – even before winter bill hikes set in
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”.
However, critics say new measures can’t wait until there is a new prime minister, 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 cosy 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.”
The Lib Dems want to pass a law to scrap the impending price hikes and are also calling for a new “energy furlough scheme”.
Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for reforms to the welfare system, capping energy bills, and changes to the windfall tax to stop people going cold and hungry this winter.
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News “you will be hearing a lot more from us soon” following questions about the whereabouts of the current leadership and what they are proposing.
