Joseph Rowntree Foundation responds to Government’s energy price cap announcement

Responding to the Government’s plans to freeze energy bills, Chief Economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Rebecca McDonald, said:

“The Government at last grasps the severity of this emergency. These moves will head off the unbelievable price predictions made during the summer that filled so many low-income families with dread. Struggling households now have some meaningful reassurance but they remain in the dark about their security beyond April.

“People are already unable pay a range of bills so, even after today’s announcement, the failure to offer further targeted support will feel like a knockout blow to the millions of people agonising about their finances.

“The promise of a growing economy on the horizon will be cold comfort when people have seen their benefits payments fall behind inflation and other bills continue to rise.

“This is why the Government must do more in its fiscal statement to stop the poorest going without the essentials even after big energy price rises are frozen. Those suffering hardship now deserve to know what additional support they will get as cost-of-living pressures continue.”

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