Cut in VAT on summer attractions in Rachel Reeves’ cost-of-living plan

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The Chancellor’s complacency on energy bills is shocking. The predictions from analysts show that year-on-year, the price cap will be 8% or £130 higher than in July 2025. That may not seem significant to the Chancellor, but to households who have struggled through five winters of high energy bills, it is very unwelcome.

“The forecasts show that it is the cost of gas which is driving up bills with unit rates likely to go up 13% year on year, and 25% up on current prices.

“Ministers say they are waiting until they finalise winter support. But that ignores the majority of households who pay on direct debit and could see energy firms increase their payments to take into account of likely higher costs this winter.

“Keeping people waiting for help will also be too late for households already in debt and dreading the next bill or people who rely on energy for medical or disability needs.

“The Government must confirm what energy support will be available now, including for those in energy debt, and those not covered by the price cap, such as households relying on heating oil and those on heat networks.

“The Chancellor also appears not to have set out a long-term plan to cut bills, such as breaking the link between electricity prices and volatile gas markets, or accelerating the shift to homegrown renewables.”