Under-fire Rishi Sunak pledges more support for hard hit Britons as energy bills skyrocket

BBC Breakfast: Rishi Sunak says he 'can't solve every problem'

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The Chancellor conceded this afternoon that energy prices were likely to go up significantly in the coming months, with the price cap expected to rise in the autumn. Energy bills are already set to surge later this week then the price cap rises by 54 percent from April 1.

It means average bills will increase from £1,277 per year to £1,971 per year.

But costs are set to skyrocket again in October, with warnings annual energy costs could peak at as much as £3,000.

Conservative and opposition MPs had been pushing for the Chancellor to announce extra measures to help families cover the costs when he delivered his Spring Statement last week.

He angered colleagues after failing to intervene, saying he “can’t solve every problem”.

After suffering severe backlash for his mini-budget, he today hinted he would take action to provide additional help. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation, and as we know, more, are prepared to act if necessary,” Mr Sunak told the Treasury select committee.

The Richmond MP said exactly how he would help those struggling with higher costs would depend on how much bills rose.

Urging patience he promised to assess the situation later in the year.

He said: “Clearly it is very difficult to sit here today and speculate what happens to energy prices and therefore the biggest impact on living standards in the autumn.

“Let’s wait until we get there and then can decide on the most appropriate course of action.

“But I don’t think anyone knows what that appropriate course of action ought to be.”

More to follow…

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