Sir Keir Starmer regarded rattled in an interview when pressed to face by a promise he made earlier than final yr’s General Election to decrease power payments for British households by £300. In June 2024, the Prime Minister posted on X simply days earlier than the nation went to the poll field, saying if he was elected: “My Labour government will tackle the root causes of the cost of living crisis and help families save up to £300 off their energy bills.”
The now PM went on to win the election, however greater than a yr on, power payments have continued to soar and Ofgem have slapped households with an extra 2% rise from right this moment (October 1). The enhance, which is barely greater than analysts anticipated, means a family utilizing a typical quantity of power pays £1,755 a yr, up £35 a yr on the present cap. Latest official figures present struggling prospects owe a report £4.4 billion to power suppliers.
In an interview aired on BBC Breakfast this morning, Sir Keir mentioned he was decided to carry power costs down for households and for companies, however regarded uncomfortable when requested by journalist Jon Kay “what about the £300?”
Sir Keir had opened the interview by speaking concerning the Labour initiative to supply power invoice aid to some poorer households this winter, with an extension to the Warm Home Discount scheme, which may reduce as a lot as £150 off payments.
But Mr Kay mentioned: “You mention the help for poorer families, but when you made that promise during the election you were talking all people, and you put a figure on it..”
Sir Keir tried to interject, elevating his hand and saying “no, no, no,”, earlier than including: “I accept that.”
Continuing his query, Mr Kay mentioned: “You talked about trying to bring down families’ energy bills by up to £300 a year. In fact since you went to Downing Street, they’ve gone up by nearly £200 a year. So, there’s no way you’re going to be able to stick to that promise, is there?”
Looking down at his ft, the PM countered “yep, bringing down the bills by £150 is for a number of households…”, however Mr Kay was not letting him off the hook, asking as soon as extra: “What about the £300?”
The PM mentioned bringing all payments down was “really important” to him and that was the “commitment” he made, earlier than saying {that a} “large part” of the issue was “driven by what’s happening in Ukraine”, a conflict which started in February 2022.
“Bills are 75% higher because of the conflict in Ukraine”, Sir Keir mentioned. But Mr Kay was fast to level out “but that had happened before you made that promise, hadn’t it?”.
Squirming below the questioning, Sir Keir mentioned: “Well, I appreciate that. Erm so what we need to do is work with others to resolve the situation in Ukraine.”
Finishing off the spherical of questions on power, Mr Kay pressed for a solution, saying: “Just to be absolutely clear, you are still sticking to that £300 promise?”
In response, Sir Keir mentioned: “I want to bring energy bills down significantly for families by the next election.”
Trying as soon as once more to get a solution, Mr Kay interjected “by £300?”, to which the PM lastly responded by saying: “Well, yes, £300 is the amount we put out there.
“I do know the dedication I made and I’m decided I’m going to carry these payments down as a result of I do know what an influence they’ve had on individuals struggling to make ends meet and dwelling by way of what should look like a steady and persevering with value of dwelling disaster.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2115677/keir-starmer-squirms-promise-lower-energy-bills